MEWNR Forest Policy 2014

Forest resources in our country are valuable natural endowment that must be sustainably managed for present and future generations. Forest resources offer a range of benefits and opportunities for local and national economic development, improved livelihoods and provision of environmental goods and services such as watershed protection and carbon sequestration.

Kenya’s forest sector has experienced poor performance in the past, and improving forest governance has been an implicit objective in forest sector reforms over the past ten years. The Forests Act (2005) introduced participatory forest management, through the engagement of local communities, and the promotion of the private sector investment in gazetted forest reserves, accompanied by concomitant institutional and organisation change, notably the establishment of the Kenya Forest Service (KFS), and the formation of Community Forest Associations.

Compliant with the objectives of the national development agenda and the constitution, the forest sector will explore new measures to halt, and reverse the pace of deforestation and forest degradation in the country and increase forest cover. There are emerging opportunities for sustainable forest financing especially through Carbon Credit schemes which the country needs to take advantage of to maximize the rate of social and economic development and secure optimum welfare of all citizens. In addition, the Civil Society Organizations, the local communities and county governments are now better organized and informed to be mainstreamed into the forestry sector decision-making and resource management. A revised policy is therefore necessary to take advantage of these emerging opportunities.

The forest conservation and management continues to face a number of challenges. Pressure on land and forest resources is unrelenting, whilst funding for the adequate provision of public services is constrained, which has undermined the efforts of forest institutions to operationalise sustainable forest management.

This Policy proposes a broad range of measures and actions responding to the challenges faced by the forest sector. It is based upon the views and expert opinion of those participants drawn from the public and private sector, and civil society organizations. A number of strategic initiatives have been introduced to improve and develop the forest resource base; integrate good governance, transparency, and accountability, equity and poverty reduction into the forest. It also presents the issues and the policy recommendations that have been identified, analysed and debated by the stakeholders. It will provide the basis upon which the on-going governance, administrative and legislative reform process will be continued. It seeks to balance the needs of the people of Kenya with opportunities for sustainable forest conservation, management and utilisation. It is also particularly informed by the Constitution, national land policy, Transition to Devolved Government Act, 2012, Intergovernmental Relations Act, 2012, Land Act, 2012 as well as the National Climate Change Response Strategy, which underscores forestry’s unique role in both climate change adaptation and mitigation.

The main features of the revised policy framework for forest conservation and sustainable management include:

1. The enactment of a revised forests law to implement this policy.

2. The mainstreaming of forest conservation and management into national land use systems.
3. The clear division of responsibilities between public sector institutions: through the Ministry responsible for forestry to provide an oversight role in national forest policy formulation, and regulatory function of the sector, thereby allowing KFS to focus on the management of forests on public land, and the role of the County governments in implementing national and County forest programmes including the delivery of forest extension services to communities, farmers and private land owners.
4. The devolution of community forest conservation and management, implementation of national forest policies and strategies the County government and the deepening of community participation in forest through the strengthening of community forestry associations, and the introduction of benefit-sharing arrangements.
5. The preparation of a national strategy to increase and maintain forest and tree cover to at least 10% of the total land area and for the rehabilitation and restoration of degraded forest ecosystems, and the establishment of a national forest resource monitoring system. A State of the Forest report will be published on a regular basis.
6. The adoption of an ecosystem approach for the management of forests, and recognition of customary rights and user rights to support sustainable forest management and conservation.
7.  The establishment of national programmes to support community forest management and afforestation/reforestation on community and private land.
8. The preparation of national standards for forest management and utilization, and the development of codes of conduct for professional forestry associations.
9. The introduction of a chain-of-custody system for timber and wood products, and legal origin and compliance certificates for exporters of timber and wood products.

Formulating a Policy is insufficient, on its own to bring about the envisaged forestry reforms. There is a need for commitment from all citizens for the reforms to be implemented and the necessary institutional changes carried through with success. The National Government and County governments has to play their its part, and will be judged on ability to provide an enabling policy environment, an effective public forest management and extension service, forestry research and to allocation of funding to the sector. Participation of stakeholders will continue to be sought through regular consultation and discussions, as we strive together to attain the most efficient, sustainable and equitable use of our forest resources.

PROF. JUDI W. WAKHUNGU

CABINET SECRETARY
MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, WATER AND NATURAL RESOURCES