Adept Conservation Network Participates in Protection of Mt. Kenya Forest

Indigenous forests in Kenya are vital for their ecological, cultural, and economic significance. They provide habitat, food, and shelter for native species, support traditional knowledge, and enhance climate resilience. These forests also play a crucial role in environmental conservation, water catchment protection, and the maintenance of biodiversity. The conservation of indigenous forests is essential for the ecological stability, cultural heritage, and community well-being of Kenya. In Kenya, indigenous forest protection is primarily managed by the Kenya Forest Service (KFS), which is responsible for the conservation and sustainable management of natural forests. The KFS collaborates with various stakeholders, including national and county governments, the private sector, and civil society, to ensure effective forest protection and management.

Kenya Forest Service is responsible for protecting all state forests, enforcing various related laws, apprehending violators, managing fires, biodiversity, and ecotourism. This is a huge mandate requiring substantial personnel especially forest rangers for day-to-day forest protection. Studies have shown that KFS does not have adequate capacity for this mandate and would require additional support to execute it. The window of Participatory Forest Management (PFM) in Kenya which aims to enhance community involvement in forest governance, improve livelihoods, and promote sustainable forest management practices, emphasizes collaboration between local communities and various stakeholders, including government agencies, NGOs, and community-based organizations, to manage forest resources sustainably. Through this approach, Community Forest Associations are able to participate in forest protection, to supplement the limited KFS capacity in forest protection.

Adept Conservation Network is supporting forest protection in Mt. Kenya Forest by collaborating with KFS and the local CFA in training Community Scouts on forest protection. So far, a total of 30 community scouts are being supported under this initiative. The scouts undertake weekly forest patrols in collaboration with KFS staff, identifying any illegal forest activities and reporting to the Authorities for appropriate action to be taken.