Kenya Forest Service Board Makes Changes in Management

Following Environment Cabinet Secretary (CS) Keriako Tobiko's directive, the Kenya Forest Service (KFS) Board has suspended two senior officials and reshuffled many others, as part of measures aimed at enhancing forests’ conservation countrywide.

In a statement, the KFS Board's Chairman Peter Kinyua suspended the Kenya Forest Service director Mr Emilio Mugo and her post has been taken over by Monica Kalenda.

John Mburu was appointed the Head of Procurement to take over from Victor Kariithi Kobia who stepped aside pending investigations.

"The appointment of Ms Kalenda, a seasoned forest resources management expert will serve to accelerate ongoing reforms initiated by the KFS board," he stated.

Anastasia Muasya was appointed in an acting capacity as the Head of Finance while Charity Munyasia was appointed the Deputy Chief Conservator of Forests.

[caption caption="Kenya Forest Service Board Peter Kinyua(Twitter)"][/caption]

Esau Omollo has been appointed the Senior Deputy Chief Conservator of Forests and Patrick Kariuki will be the Deputy Chief Conservator, Farm and Drylands.

Alexander Lemarkoko was appointed the acting Head of Administration while Wilson Oleleeboo will take over as the Acting Commandant/Head of Forests Protection and Security.

Mr Kinyua noted that Ezekiel Korir will be the Acting Head of Plantation and Enterprise Division and he also named Josephat Ingaji as the acting Manager Corporate Services.

Lucy Kiboi was named the acting Senior Manager Support Services.

Kinyua further stated that the board had already disciplined the officers who have been adversely mentioned to be responsible for the massive destruction of forest resources.

“At KFS we are committed to ensuring that Kenya achieves a more than 15% forest cover by the year 2022 by leading efforts to plant more than 170 Million trees in the next five years and the management changes are geared at providing impetus,” Kinyua noted.

Environment CS Tobiko had promised radical changes at the organization for failing to protect the country’s water towers.

Here is the statement: