Management agreements for Gathiuru forest signed

The KFS Director Mr. David Mbugua puts his signature to the Gathiuru Forest Station Management Agreements

The Director Kenya Forest Service (KFS) Mr. David Mbugua recently presided over the signing of Gathiuru Forest Station Management Plans that will see the Gathiuru Community Forest Association and KFS work together to sustainably manage the forest.

Present at the function were the members of the Gathiuru CFA led by their officials, KFS officers from Nairobi and the Central Highlands Conservancy, local leadership and the Gathiuru Community.

Speaking at the event, the Director congratulated the members of the CFA for working tirelessly to come up with a workable management agreement. He also thanked stakeholders who supported the initiative saying that forest management was now a collaborative function and responsibility of everyone in the country.

He added that Management Agreements were part of the requirements set out by the Forests Act 2005. He added that this was one way the law was ensuring that the community was actively participating in forest management and drawing benefits from the same.

Speaking at the same event, the Deputy Director Plantation and Enterprise, Mr. Simiyu Wasike also congratulated the Gathiuru CFA and community in general for being a fine example of how the community can work together with the government for the mutual benefit of both. He urged them to utilize forest resources sustainable and to always seek the advice of the Service through the local KFS office on tree planting and other forestry technical activities.

Story by and picture Mike Muratha