Victory for Kenyan conservationists
Earlier this year, we reported on the Forest Conservation and Management (Amendment) Bill (2021) which sought to repeal a vital law that safeguards the integrity of Kenya’s forests. The Bill sought to weaken Kenya Forests Service’s power under Clause 34(2)(a) of the Forest Conservation and Management Act (2016) to protect Kenya’s forests.
If passed, the Bill would’ve paved the way for land grabbing and the destruction of public forests. Ultimately undermining the country’s efforts to restore and conserve it’s forests. We are happy to report that an advocacy campaign led by the East African Wild Life Society and its sub-committee, the Kenya Forests Working Group (KFWG), successfully lobbied against this Bill.
More good news!
Not only are Kenya’s forests still protected by law, Kenya has surpassed it’s target of reaching 10% tree cover by 2022.
According to the recently published National Forest Assessment Report 2021 by KFS, the country’s tree cover is now at 12.13%. This has gone up from 5.9% in 2018.
While there is still more work to do and more trees to be planted, the successful lobbying by East African Wild Life Society and KFWG demonstrates how concerted efforts can be effective in halting regressive change and securing the future of our forests.
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