The National Assembly will push for enhanced budget allocations to the Ministry of Environment to support the fencing and protection of gazetted forests across Kenya, Speaker Moses Wetang’ula has announced.
Speaking during the 48th graduation ceremony of the Kenya Forestry College in Londiani, Kericho County, Wetang’ula said the move is crucial to combating rampant forest destruction and encroachment, which threaten the government’s ambitious plan to plant 15 billion trees under President William Ruto’s directive.
“The National Assembly will advocate for more funding to fence gazetted forests as part of efforts to realise the President’s target,” Wetang’ula said.
He explained that fencing would empower Kenya Forest Service (KFS) officers to better safeguard vital water catchment areas that serve millions of Kenyans.
The Speaker further urged county governments to collaborate with KFS in training forest extension officers, stressing that synergy between national and county governments is vital for sustainable conservation.
While condoling with families affected by recent landslides, Wetang’ula called on the Ministry of Environment to map out disaster-prone areas and prioritise tree planting as a long-term solution to climate-related disasters.
He encouraged the graduating forestry students to take the lead in ecosystem restoration, describing forests as “the lungs of our nation and essential to Kenya’s survival.”
Wetang’ula praised the Kenya Forestry College for its role as a centre of technical excellence and environmental leadership, noting that forestry education goes beyond technical training. He said it is central to addressing climate change, deforestation, and biodiversity loss, which continue to threaten Kenya’s natural heritage.
By strengthening funding, training, and collaboration, the Speaker noted, Kenya can make significant strides toward achieving sustainable forest management and the country’s 15 billion tree-planting target.
