The government has unveiled a targeted student loan programme aimed specifically at students pursuing forestry studies.
The new loan facility was announced on Thursday, July 17, following the signing of a service contract between the Kenya Forest Service (KFS) and the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) to establish the Kenya Forestry College Student Funding Scheme (KFC-SF).
Signed at the KFS headquarters in Karura, the Kenya Forestry College Student Funding Scheme (KFC-SF) seeks to offer tailored financial assistance to students enrolled in forestry-related courses at the Kenya Forestry College (KFC) through loans and bursaries.
Clement Ng’oriareng of KFS and HELB CEO Geoffrey Monari formalised the agreement on Thursday, with Ng’oriareng describing the contract as a critical step towards building a workforce that can support Kenya's forestry and environmental protection goals.
He also emphasised the growing demand for green careers and the need for the country to invest in talent capable of managing Kenya's natural resources in a sustainable way.
While the scheme will be fully administered by HELB, it will be subject to strategic oversight from a tripartite committee comprising members from KFS, HELB, and the Kenya Forestry College.
This structure, according to the KFS, is a deliberate design to ensure that funding is efficient and aligns with the government's forestry goals.
Kenyan universities have introduced a range of forestry-related academic programmes as the push for environmental conservation gains momentum globally.
One of the most common programmes is a Bachelor of Science in Forestry, which covers key areas such as forest ecology, silviculture, forest management, and forest policy.
A Bachelor of Science in Agroforestry and Rural Development is another popular course, focusing on integrating trees into farming systems and supporting sustainable livelihoods.
The new partnership comes at a time when HELB was grappling with financial challenges, with CEO Charles Ringera confirming a significant financial shortfall for student loans this year.
HELB reportedly received Ksh26 billion for the 2025/2026 financial year, far short of the Ksh48 billion the board says is needed to provide loans to students from low-income households pursuing higher education.
