BY ALBERT NYAKUNDI
The Kenya Forest Service is perhaps the least known and talked about among the Kenyan uniformed forces. Several people took to social media to praise the Service for improved delivery.
Facebook user (Fidel Jesus) said in a long post that the youth should consider joining the service.
“KFS is a uniformed government agency that is pushing its chest forward in a bid to get recognition just like the other uniformed services. They have an active Facebook page which I have been following keenly and getting to know more about it.” He said.
Fidel said in addition to tree planting and forest conservation, KFS takes part in multi-agency Field Training Exercise (FTE) in Boni Forest to flush out criminals.
“They have been conserving mangrove ecosystem down at the Coast and take part in sporting activities such as athletics, volleyball, football and Karate.” He wrote.
He said KFS during the recent Sabor Rhino Charge held in Baringo, sponsored it by providing guard services.
“KFS gifted shopping vouchers to the best KCPE pupils of Karura Primary School to enable them join Form One.” He praised the KFS.
He elaborated the good things KFS has done.
1. They run the Kenya Forestry College in Londiani.
2. KFS donates beehives and honey-harvesting kits.
3. They empower locals in conserving natural heritage.
4. Participates in national celebrations.
5. Engages community living near forests through Participatory Forest Management Plan (PFMP).
6. Manages the John Michuki Memorial Park in Nairobi.
7. In addition to motor vehicles, KFS also has a fleet of boats and planes, to name but a few.
The police has an Inspector General, the KDF has a Chief of the Defense Forces, the Kenya Forest Service has a Chief Conservator of Forests. The current CCF is Julius Kamau.
“Perhaps we should stop believing that our younger siblings can only join the army or police, and start looking at the modernized Kenya Forest Service as an emerging government employer.” He said.
He said CCF Julius Kamau has in two years done what his predecessors did not do in many years.
According to CCF Julius Kamau, “In the last 3 years KFS has reclaimed 55,000ha and gazetted 128,000ha, gained a service flag and development of a new organisational structure to support the much needed reforms.”