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The Kenya Forest Service (KFS) has welcomed President William Ruto’s directive that the service recruits 2,700 forest rangers and 600 forest officers, saying the move will boost conservation in the country. 

KFS Chief Conservator Julius Kamau said the exercise would be a big boost towards forest protection as well as in increasing tree cover from the current 12 per cent to 30 per cent by 2030.

 Speaking during the pass-out parade of 60 management and forest trainees at the Kenya Forestry College in Londiani at the weekend, Kamau said the directive is a plus to conservation.

 Kamau said the graduands are the first cohort of management and forest trainees that KFS board approved through a replacement approach of exiting staff as a result of retirement.

 “We anticipate sustaining the same approach and tempo and we are optimistic that the next cohort will soon be joining the service which is 166 graduates of this college for the position of forester trainee and head nurseries and who will as well undertake a basic paramilitary course,” said Kamau.

 At the same time, Kenya Forest Service Board chairman Peter Kinyua said the concerted effort that has been made by the board has over three years seen the forest cover and tree cover improve.