Kenya Forests: March 2010

Wednesday, March 31, 2010

100 Ways to Save The Environment

Are you concerned about the state of the environment around you? Do you think that everyday individual have a role to play or should such work be left to giants like Wangari Maathai and the government? If you think everybody has a role to play, please learn more from SEQL.

Sustainable Environment for Quality Life would like to educated you on the various ways you can help save the environment. Please see the list here

Forestry in the News on Friday March 26th to Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Forestry in the News on Wednesday, March 31, 2010

EA Standard-page 30-an article with the title-“Biogas project improves learning and cuts energy costs at school”

Daily Nation-page 13(The Cutting Edge by The Watchman) a response by Pensions Department official to Micheal Obonyo who had enquired why his late father who was a former Forest Guard has not been paid his pension.

Business Daily-page 15 (letters) a letter by Dr Peter Kuria Ndiba,Lecturer,University of Nairobi titled-“Traffic jams have messed up Nairobi’s green agenda”

The Star- page 3 –An advert by Kenya Forest Service on a running campaign to encourage people to plant trees

Forestry in the News on Tuesday, March 30, 2010

EA Standard-page 12-an article with the title-“Mau settlers urge State to look beyond title deeds”

Page 2 –An advert by Kenya Forest Service on a running campaign to encourage people to plant trees

Daily Nation-page 32 an article with the title-“Street children to plant trees in schools drive”

Kenya Times-page 14(Letters) a letter to the editor by Zachary Mwangi titled-“Ruto should be realistic on Mau evictions”

Business Daily-page 17 an article with the title-“Green’ firms prepare for IPOs”. Several green technology companies are expected to launch initial public offerings this year

The Star-page 5 (Your View) segment-The question being asked today is-“Should Moi be compensated for Mau Forest Land?”

The People Daily-an article with the title-“Bamboo a potential dry land cash crop”

Forestry in the News on Monday, March 29, 2010

EA Standard-page 4-an article with the title-“Pan Paper to reopen any time now, MP says”

Daily Nation-an article with the title-“Mau settlers kick out surveyors”

Page 14(Letters to the Editor)-Justin Osey Peter has written a letter to the editor with the title-“Report the goings on in Mau Forest”

Page 40(Business Pictorial)-a picture of Chairman of the Green Africa Foundation Isaac Kalua and Rev Philip Kitoto of the International Christian Center plant a tree during the launch of the Green Church Initiative in Imara Daima, Nairobi; with the title-“Going Green”.

Page III (Advertising Feature)-a supplement by the County Council of Narok titled-“Investment opportunities abound”. The County Council off Narok plans to develop the Mara Forest as a bird watching site.

Kenya Times-an article with the title-“Forest body to back beach hotels in Mangroves production”

Page 4-an article with the title-“Charcoal trade major threat to Kakamega Forest’s survival”

Business Daily-page 32 an article with the title-“Going green at work”

The Star-page 1, 8 an article with the title-‘Third phase of Mau evictions start this week: Moi to lose Mau land without pay”

WEEKEND PAPERS

The Sunday Express- page 20 an article with the title-“Green energy could help switch KPLC off”

Page 28 (Corporate Images)-a picture of M.A.M Wamwachai, the PS Ministry of Forestry and Wildlife, Dipan and Nishit Mediratta of PG Bison, planting trees at the Nairobi National Park during the launch of the Nairobi Greenline project.

The Saturday People Daily-an article with the title-“Raila states the economic cost of the Climate Change”

The Saturday Standard-page 6 an article with the title-“Rift Valley MPs oppose phase three Mau evictions; seek proper measures to resettle those affected”. Another article with the title-“Sh 210billion needed for climate change, Prime Minister tells donors”

The Standard on Sunday (Twinkle) - an article about the Baobab tree.

Forestry in the News on Friday, March 26, 2010

EA Standard-page 22-an article with the title-“Police unearth brewing den in Forest”

University of Nairobi’s Chiromo Campus Environmental Club adopts 2.25 acres of Nairotia Forest in the Mau

The Chiromo Environmental Awareness Club recently organized a tree planting that took place in Narok on the 20^th day of March 2010 in an initiative aimed at commemorating World Forests Day that is celebrated on the 21st of March annually. The Kenya Forest Service(KFS) donated 1,200 seedlings and also enabled the club to adopt a hectare in the Mau complex while Kenya Forests Working Group(KFWG) also donated money for the pitting of holes and informative books and posters. Uchumi Ngong Hyper also pitched in with refreshments as well as the University of Nairobi, College of Biological and Physical Sciences{CBPS) who provided transport and financial assistance. Kiss 100 FM also gave them good coverage.

The club,with the permission of Kenya Forest Service are the first to adopt a hectare in the expansive 12,000 hectares of the Nairotia Forest Station in the Mau complex. The landscape itself was a mosaic of maize and tea plantations with sparse forest cover. On arrival at the site around 11am and the group was warmly received by Mr.Kelelua from KFS Narok Office who gave a brief history of the area and mentioned the challenges that were being faced. Planting thereafter soon commenced. By 2.30 pm the planting session had concluded and Mr. Elamu from KFWG gave a small speech thanking the participants for work well done while Ms. Manda the CEAC chairlady gave a vote of thanks.

In conclusion, the day was without any doubt a success and it was very encouraging to see the local community actively involved in conservation initiatives.

Monday, March 29, 2010

Kenya Forest Service gets new Board

The second Board of Management for KFS was named last Friday through a Kenya Gazette Notice No. 2917. The eight member named by the notice signed by the Minister for Forestry & Wildlife are :-

E.A. Ochieng Obado, Joseph Nakurro Leboo, Major (Rtd) Daniel Ing’ollan Nawose, Jaswant S. Rai, Fatuma Sichale, Joseph Murei Mang’ira, Margaret Karimi Gitonga and Prof. Richard Musangi

The eight Board Members will be joined in the Board by another eight members drawn from public service who will representation from :- PS -Ministry of Forestry and Wildlife, PS – Treasury, PS- Water & Irrigation, PS- Local Government, Director – KWS, Director – KFS, Director General- NEMA and Director KEFRI. The Director KFS is the Secretary of the Board.

According to the Forest Act, 2005, the President will appoint one amongst the eight non-public servants to be the Chairman of the Board.

Inaugural World Forestry Day Celebrated in Kenya with tree planting

Busy at work

A group photo to commemorate the event.

KFS staff members based at the organization’s headquarter have planted 1,000 seedlings to mark the World Forestry Day 2010. The event is a precursor to bigger nationwide celebrations earmarked for World Forestry Day on 21^st March, 2011 which is also the designated “year of forestry” by the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization.

During the highly symbolic event mainly geared towards forest reclamation, KFS staff planted seedlings in a site previously grabbed and currently controversial – along Kiambu road, 10 KM from Nairobi’s city centre.

The planting also marked the start of the 2010 long-rains tree planting campaign whose theme is restore our forests for climate change mitigation and secure Kenya’s future.

The 109 KFS staff that turned up for the event were excited, and continued planting even with the showers that blessed the morning of Saturday 20^th March 2010.

The chief guest, KFS Deputy Director Corporate Services Mrs. Lucy Kiboi said it was encouraging to see a dedicated staff not just to work, but truly committed to the conservation course.

The World Forest Day has been celebrated since 1971 when the European Confederation of Agriculture requested FAO’s member governments to support the annual event on 21^st March. The event commemorates the contribution and value of forests and forestry to the community and countries as a whole. As well, it’s a symbolic and recognition of forests as the basis of life which contribute towards environmental, economic and socio-economic dimensions of livelihoods.

Karura Forester, Mr. Orwa demonstrates how to remove polythene bags for recycling

RSM, Bedan leading by example

Busy bee

A luncheon followed the event at the HQ grounds during which Mrs Kiboi addressed staff.

More plantings by Wandera representing HR department and Mr. Owino for Legal

Extension Department's John Maina

Teamwork

Chief Accountant Mrs. Muasya leading the Finance team

Men at Work.....

After the planting its time to clean the hands.............

Thursday, March 25, 2010

KFS to set up Forest Management & Conservation Fund

Under Section 18 of the Forests Act (2005), KFS is empowered to establish a Forest Management & Conservation Fund that will be used as a resource mobilization vehicle for funds to be directed towards conservation. The advert below appears in the Daily Nation and E.A. Standard today seeking a consultancy service to guide and recommend modalities on how the Forest Management and Conservation Fund should be established and operated. The EOI closes on 14^th April, 2010 at noon.

EXPRESSION OF INTEREST

FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE FOREST MANAGEMENT AND CONSERVATION FUND

Kenya Forest Service (KFS) is a State Corporation established by the Forest Act 2005 mandated to establish, develop, sustainably manage, conserve and rationally utilize the country’s forest resources for the socio- economic development of the country. The Forest Act 2005, under section 18 provides for the establishment of the Forest Management and Conservation Fund which shall consist of monies appropriated by Parliament, monies levied upon forest beneficiaries, income from investments such as grants, donations, bequests or other gifts.

The purpose of the Fund will be to promote the development of forests, maintenance and conservation of indigenous forests, the promotion of commercial forest plantation, provision of forest extension services, promotion of community based forest projects, facilitation of education and research activities, the establishment of arboreta and botanical gardens, among other purposes specified in the Forest Act, 2005.

Kenya Forest Service therefore seeks expression of interest from suitably qualified firms for consultancy to design and recommend modalities on how the Forest Management and Conservation Fund should be established and operated.

Interested firms must have a proven track record in this field. Other eligibility requirements include submission of:-

1. Detailed individual or company profile

2. Copies of PIN, VAT Reg. Cert of Incorporation/ Reg., tax clearance certificate

3. Audited accounts for the last two years, (2008 and 2009)

4. Names and CVs of key staffs, other staffs and their qualifications

5. Referees from 3 (three) reputable firms

6. Physical address and telephone contacts

The EOI clearly marked EOI No: KFS/03/2009/2010- “FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE FOREST MANAGEMENT AND CONSERVATION FUND” Do not open before 12.00 noon, 14.04.2010 must be delivered to

DIRECTOR

KENYA FOREST SERVICE

P.O.BOX 30513- 00100

NAIROBI

Tel: 3754904/5/6

The documents should be placed in the tender box situated on Ground Floor reception area of KFS, Headquarters Karura off Kiambu Road so as to be received on or before 14.04.2010 at 12.00 noon. EOI submitted later than the indicated closing date and time shall automatically be disqualified. EOI Opening will take place immediately on the same date in the same building in the Main Boardroom. Interested parties or their representatives who wish to attend are invited to witness the opening.

Kenya Forest Service reserves the right to accept or reject any or all the EOI either in whole or in part and is not bound to give reasons thereof

D. K. MBUGUA

DIRECTOR

Kenya Stands To Gain From Biofuel Investments

The Kenyan delegation poses for a photograph with one of the Director of the congress. They are from left: Jeruto Chepkuonyi, Trade & Tourism Officer, Nigel Yeates, Research Direcor, GreenPower conferences, H.E Prof Ruthie Rono, Kenya’s Ambassador to the Netherlands, Emilio Mugo, Senior Deputy Director, KFS, Jim Okuto, Zonal Manager Mwingi and Jerome Mwanzia, Project Manager, GZDSP.

A number of investors have expressed interest in investing in Bio fuels and renewable energy in Kenya. This emerged during the World Bio fuels Congress held in Amsterdam, Holland from 13^th to 15^th March 2010 which was graced by the presence of Kenya’s Ambassador the Netherlands, Her Excellency Prof Ruthie Rono, and attended by a KFS delegation led by the Senior Deputy Director Emilio Mugo.

The Kenyan delegation, which also included the Embassy’s Trade and Tourism Officer Jeruto Chepkuoni, the Project Manager GZDSP Jerome Mwanzia and Zonal Manager Mwingi Jim Lawi Okuto held various consultative meetings with investors as well as the congress organizers on the sidelines of the congress.

On a positive note, the congress organisers, the GreenPower Conferences, expressed interest in holding a regional Biofuels conference in Kenya before the end of the year. In addition, a Brussels based company Pangea Global Initiatives are due to commission a bio fuel project in Thika and Nyanza province in the near future. Discussions were also held with Denmark based Novozymes company that is undertaking a pilot project in Mozambique to convert cassava grown by local farmers into ethanol for cooking by the same communities. The company expressed willingness to replicate the same in Kenya.

The congress dwelt on biofuels crops, extraction processes, current global undertakings and marketing aspects. While contributing, the Ambassador said that

Kenya

is keen to harness renewable energy which is key to realization of the country’s vision of attaining middle level economy status as envisaged in the country’s blue print, Vision 2030 and welcomes all investors in this vital undertaking. The SDD stressed the need to increase land productivity per unit area rather that increase in land area under biofuels as a way of optimising on the land use potential.

The Kenyan delegation later toured The Hague and was able to visit landmarks such as International Criminal Court (ICC), the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and the Kenyan Embassy in the

Netherlands

Kenya

’s team at a working session on the sidelines of the conference

The KFS team at the residence of Kenya’s Ambassador to the Netherlands, H.E Prof Ruthie Rone (2^nd Right).

KFS team outside the International Court of Justice at the Hague.

Forestry in the News on 23rd Tuesday, 24th Wednesday & 25th Thursday, March, 2010

Forestry in the News on Thursday, March 25, 2010

EA Standard-page 52-an advert by Kenya Forest Service seeking a consultancy to help in setting up the Forest Management & Conservation Fund as envisaged in the Forest Act Section 18

The People Daily-page 11 an article with the title-“Mau tree planting to start next week”

Page 12 an article with the title-“Are new biofuels the ethical answer?”

Page 13 an article with the title-“Climate change with regard to urbanization”

Business Daily-page 32(Environment News)-an article with the title-“France drops carbon tax plan”

Daily Nation-page 6 an article with the title-“Drive to save Mau enters new stage”

Page 35-an advert by Kenya Forest Service seeking a consultancy to help in setting up the Forest Management & Conservation Fund as envisaged in the Forest Act Section 18

Forestry in the News on Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Kenya Times-Page 18 an article with the title-“Role of Water Towers in conservation”

EA Standard-page 10(CCI) A story about a man who was sentenced for 8 months for stealing and a panga. The story is titled-“Axe thief to split wood for eight months”.

The Star-page an article with the title-“Soldiers and Green Belt to plant 2 million trees”, accompanied by a picture of Forestry Assistant Minister Joseph Nanok at Marmanet Forest.

Forestry in the News on Tuesday, March 23, 2010

The Daily Nation-page 14(The letters to the Editor –a letter by Erick Kizito titled “renewable energy”

Kenya Times-Page 5 an article with the title-“GreenBelt to plant 2m trees in Central Kenya”

EA Standard-page 2(Financial Journal)-a picture with the caption-“Tree felling gone awry” of two KPLC employees recovering power conductors that were destroyed when a eucalyptus tree fell on it.

Page-4 (Financial Journal)-a picture of Pan African Paper Mills under the article titled-“Behind dark history of receiverships”

Taifa Leo-ukurasa wa pili-picha ya Mzee Kipkoros Tapokoi akitabasamu wakati wa mkutano katika eneo la Mariashoni ,Molo kufuatia hatua ya serikali kuipa jamii ya Ogiek fursa ya kuchagua baraza la wazee watakaojumuika na kamati ya kusimamia kurudishwa kwa msitu wa Maukatika hali yake ya awali.