KFS Wins Accolades For Outstanding Display At Nakuru ASK Show

Antony Nguthiru forester Elburgon division explains to students from Mariashoni Primary School about the Mau Conservancy through an outdoor model. The students were curious to learn more about the Mau Forest Complex within which their school is located. 

Students observe how toothpicks are made from wood pieces, from one of the forest -based entrepreneurial businesses that were on display at the KFS Nakuru show stand.

The Kenya Forest Service stand at the Nakuru Agricultural Show impressed all and sundry due to its outstanding display and well organized outline of forestry activities. During the official opening ceremony, His Excellency the President Hon. Mwai Kibaki, M.P. informed the public of KFS mandate noting that the government through the Service would endeavor to reforest the country and a target to conserve 100,000 ha was planned in the current financial year. In addition, 930 hectares under the Kazi Kwa Vijana programme would be planted.

The main forestry activities were well showcased at the KFS stand and visitors got to see a well conserved indigenous forest which was not just a model but an actual forest, planted several years back. The stand flowed from a well presented information center to a miniature ground model of Mau Conservancy and on to a tree nursery complete with fruit seedlings, indigenous, exotic and ornamental tree seedlings. A model forest station with a customer care desk and a fire tower clearly depicted the work done by foresters and forest rangers. A well –modeled ecotourism site was carefully placed within the indigenous forest, clearly outlining ecotourism activities such as boardwalks, camping sites, bird-watching and an ecotourism lodge. LANAMEDUBA a CFA group was also at hand to showcase its activities in the areas they represent. An impeccable model of agro –forestry also stood out with its fully grown food crops and trees.

In line with the show theme ‘Driving agri –business in attaining food sufficiency and Vision 2030,’ a display of entrepreneurial ventures was essential, hence exhibitors dealing with forest related products were at hand with their displays. On exhibit were products such as herbal medicine, wood carvings, furniture and charcoal pellets made from charcoal dust mixed with soil. The raw materials for making these products are obtained from forests.

One of the main concerns by visitors was the Mau Forest Complex, which has featured prominently in the press in the last two years. A lot of questions were raised regarding the MFC and visitors were curious to learn of its geographical outline as depicted in maps. Students were informed of the twelve lakes that originate from the MFC. Hundreds of visitors got to learn more about forestry and KFS managed to scoop position two in the best Environmental Management Trade stand. The show took place from 14^th to 18^th July 2010.

Report by Anne Kaari