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{
    "id": 660728,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/660728/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 254,
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    "speaker": null,
    "content": "We have a duty to ensure that we do not deplete the country’s resources including forest resources in such a way that future generations are deprived of a healthy environment. This Bill has very extensive provisions but I would like to rush through the key provisions so that I can be seconded in good time. Looking at the clock, we do not have much time. Clause 8 establishes the Kenya Forestry Service (KFS) as a service whose functions are described in Clause 8 to include the conservation of mainly public forests as well as receiving and considering requests for licences or permits relating to forest resource management. This is an area that has been abused in the past in our country. There are too many people licensed to exploit forest resources. Some of them have exploited those resources in an unsustainable manner where some have even exploited endangered species which is against not only our Constitution but the international law, in particular, the United Nations Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, (CITES Convention.) The debate in this county has concentrated more on the protection of one species; the elephant. Whenever people talks about the CITES Convention, they refer to the elephant and a few other endangered species. However, that Convention that Kenya is party to since 1992 protects all the endangered species of flora and fauna. Many of the endangered species of plants are found in the forests. We have witnessed many incidents of people in this country being arrested in possession of rare protected species like sandalwood. I hope that the KFS of the future under this Bill will do greater environmental justice to this country by making sure that they police our forests. Madam Temporary Speaker, the Jubilee Government is increasing the capacity of policing our forests. For the first time in the last two years, there has been recruitment of a significant number of forest guards; about 400. I think that number should be increased because for a long time, that is a sector that has been neglected. Perhaps the theft of forest species or unsustainable exploitation of forests could be associated directly to the lack of oversight and policing capacity of KFS. I hope that the new KFS will be given the capacity to protect our forest cover especially the endangered species. The new KFS will also develop programmes for tourism, recreation and ceremonial use of natural forests. Allow me to mention that forests are not just for economic purposes and exploitative purposes. They are also used for ceremonial, cultural, spiritual as well as recreational purposes. People can go to the forests to rest and enjoy themselves. This Bill recognizes this as part of the mandate of the new KFS. The new KFS will also promote forest education and training in Kenya through the Kenya Forestry Institute which is established afresh in Clause 17 of this Bill. The Kenya Forestry Institute in Londiani still exists under an Act of Parliament. This Bill is recreating it afresh and giving it a very broad mandate in the area of forestry education so that it can develop forestry education in our country, vocational and technical training in the area of forest conservation and management. Madam Temporary Speaker, the KFS will have a board of directors as provided for in Clause 9 and the composition of the board of directors is provided for. As I have said, Clause 17 is on the establishment of the Kenya Forestry College which will provide The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposes only. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor, Senate"
}