Emali Diary Part IV (Day 27-Day 41): By Officer Benjamin Kinyili, Manager Nyandarua Forest Zone

Although the pioneer group of KFS Officers to undergo the paramilitary induction has long finished, passed out and returned back to thr stations, ZM Kinyili was able to keep a diary of every single day of what was a life-changing opportunity and adventure.

Here below is the account of his stay at Emali from Day 27 until the end on Day 41 when senior, colleagues and family joined the proud graduands in a day full of joy as seen in this earlier post .

Another group of 35 senior officers, mostly Assistant Director’s of Forests will be undergoing the same course starting on 18th April. We wish them all the best and hope that one of them will volunteer to keep a public diary of the events there for the benefit of their colleagues and for record. Volunteers can reach me on rmworia@gmail.com.

Day 27: Friday 05/03/2010
It was adventurous and wild as we negotiated the turn at the Mombasa highway and back to the field for more thrilling physical exercises which really enhanced the body’s physical fitness, in succession the Muster parade was very thrilling after the previous day section attacks where all the uniforms were dirty and officers had to go an extra mile to wash, iron and don them for inspection at theMuster Parade.

The parade rehearsal was very exciting as we embarked on all salutes, slow and quick march and the oath of allegiance. The mood was somber as each officer mediated the final day saying the last line “Ewe Mungu Nisaidie”. “Help Me God” to go out and give service to humanity. The lessons on weaponry were equally interesting as we tackled the pistol and revolver fundamentals for marksmanship principles. In the afternoon Mr. S. O. Owino from KFS Headquarters the legal officer took us through the prosecution of offences under the Forest Act 2005 anchoring them to the constitution of Kenya., the criminal procedure code (CPC) and penal code as well as all other relevant environmental Acts e.g Environment Management Control Act (EMCA 1999) the environmental law framework, water act 2002, the wildlife act 376.

Mr. Karanja – the Accountant from KFS Headquarters presented accountancy, budgetary, implementation and auditing enumerating the challenges in timely accounts submission, budgeting and planning.
The officers were happy to break late in the evening for personal administration with very high expectations for having covered 66% of the course training.

Day 28: Saturday 06/03/2010
The day was wholly dedicated to personal administration, cleaning, ironing and relaxing.

Day 29th Sunday 07/03/2010
The previous night Saturday there were torrential rains until very early in the morning. Officers were happy to go to church and praise and worship the Lord for his grace and mercies as they waited to take the home stretch part of the course.

Day 30: Monday 08/03/2010
For the second Monday running it rained cats and dogs interfering with the morning run, physical exercise and Muster Parade. Immediately after parade we proceeded to the lecture rooms for the weaponry lessons where several terminologies were tackled L.M.A, G.P.MA, MPMG, SLR(FN), POA for proper details please hold your horses these are paramilitary terminologies. We tackled HK-21 which is a light machine gun type which is used as a section level weapon. Later we learned MPMG – Multi – purpose-machine-gun it is a platoon level weapon with high rate of fire and it is the major automatic weapon of infantry unit. The aims of the lessons were to learn general characteristics of the gun, safety, and stripping, cleaning, assembling and safety precautions applicable to their use. Before lunch break we did a lot of pass out parade rehearsal with the commanders for the platoon practicing with the swords and the other two platoons practicing with rifles or slow and quick march.

In the afternoon we were taken through lessons for preparation for the next four days at Ole –Shoboro International range on at Ngong Hills where we were engaged throughout on day and night on range, navigation, pitching of tents, patrols, and night sentry. We assembled the equipment, machete, mess tins, sleeping bags, ponchos, ground sheets and buckets.

These activities are very exciting and full of surprises and these calls upon a commercial break of the diary at APSSC – Emali.
At 9.30 in the evening we received jerseys for the range exercises and activities at the gazetted ole-shoboro international range from the Kenya Forest Service Headquarters issued by the Quarter Master Inspector Namagwa.

Day 31: Tuesday 9/03/10- No entry (To be given in details later)
Day 32: Wednesday 10/03/10- No entry (To be given in details later)
Day 33: Thursday 11/03/10- No entry (To be given in details later)

Day 34: Friday 12/03/10
The commercial break was for real and we experienced life supporting systems skills, where our endurance was tested to the test lever ever. We learned how to adapt to the different life experiences, survival tactics in the wilderness, surprises and above all flexibility to changing world lifestyles. At ole shoboro it was not business as usual but life skills survival tactics where one had to use interpersonal, teamwork and social instinct to fit in dynamic life situations. The experience needs one to discover his potential and apply them to survive. The experience will be discussed and published in future edition because it was beyond expectation and the four days are worth a whole book.

On the last day Friday the Commandant – Administration Police Training Embakasi graced the closing occasion where demonstrations of section attack on field craft and tact was displayed. He also witnessed the competition of range shooting on falling plates targets, where section two emerged winners by clearing the ten falling plates against eight for section one. The commandant who is a sharp shooter cleared systematically all his ten falling plates against combined KFS Deputy Commandant Mr. Alex Lemarkoko, two KFS officers and three Administration Police Training College – Embakasi instructors. The speeches from the APTC – Commandant, KFS Deputy Commandant were inspiring, spirit uplifting, encouraging focused and determination in order to save our forests in Kenya for present and future generations with officers to pass-out (graduate) with confidence flexibility skills, knowledge and attitude to make a difference in forest protection and conservation.

Day 35: Saturday 13/03/10
The day started well after the long tired energy sapping activities at the Ngong – Ole Shoboro International Range. The people did their personal administration then organized a party for the course participants and the instructors. The party was successful and colourful at Emali Town which was a good gesture for the participants to the instructors for commendable work they did to mould the participants into an all round trained uniformed and disciplined paramilitary officers within a record time of five weeks. It was a spirit of team work; appreciation and recognition to the good bonding, sharing and exchange of knowledge, skills and ideas for there are long life experiences.

Day 36: Sunday 14/03/10
The participants nursed the hung-overs of the party of the previous day. They prepared for church service and personal administration as they visited kinyozis and hair dressers for haircuts and hair dressings as we embarked on the homestretch for the count down towards the pass out parade on the next Friday.

Day 37: Monday 15/03/10
There were no physical exercises training instead participants signed for the rifles for drill and parade rehearsal at the black office before breakfast. After breakfast lessons on law section on evidence Act was tackled for presentation of evidences at the law court. After 10.00 a.m tea, the course participants went to the black office for arms drill and extra-parade practices. After lunch Sexual Offices Act 2006 was presented to the participants and after more parade rehearsal in anticipation of the Administration Police Band from APTC Embakassi the following day. The rehearsal continued until very late in the cover of darkness at 7.30 p.m.

Day 38: Tuesday 16/03/10
The course participants turned up with beret caps for the first time and after forming up for the parade the rains interrupted. The rains could not allow time for parade because in four times as the parade formed it had to be called off due to heavy rains. In the afternoon as we waited for the KFS Team to arrive and give lecture we cleaned all the rifles we used at the Ngong Ole-shoboro International Range. After lunch the KFS team presented, Anti-Corruption, Officers Ethics Act and Internal Audit by Anne Kaari and Lucy Kusewa. In the evening the rains subsided and the parade rehearsal took place with the AP Band leading with music, trumpets and drums. The participants were very happy and exercised as they marched to the tunes of the band.

Day 39: Wednesday 17/03/10
The day started at a high note with an upbeat mood because it was the countdown to D-day Friday 19th March 2010 the pass out parade day. We started with the parade rehearsal followed by another rehearsal after breakfast with the graduating attire to select the final pass out parade dress number one. It was very colouful, to march with the dress number complete with ranks. It was agreed that the jacket would not be used due to the heat intensity. After lunch lessons on cordon and search was presented followed by another rehearsal before the review by the commandant APTC – Embakassi.

Day 40: Thursday 18/03/10
It was a day with a difference with a lot of excitement as the countdown narrowed to hours before the D-day. The practice and rehearsal started early and the commandant APTC observed the parade incognito and passed a message that we improve on mark timing by lifting the legs up to the knee and thigh level, to chest up and swinging the hands. It was communicated that the final review would be at 9.30 a.m and the preparation befitting the final was at top gear with tents, podium to receive salute, quarter guard mounted to receive the guest of honour.

At exactly 10.00 a.m the Commandant APTC was ready to review the parade as everything was at notch higher. The participants gave their best as March on with the tunes from the band, the General Salute was excellent followed by slow and quick time march, then the advance in review order and finally march off. The Commandant APTC was very much impressed by good parade presentation from the course men. He was happy and emphasized more effort to make it more colourful on the material day. He promised to deliver a lecture at 2.30 p.m after the lunch break on intelligence gathering and organization of national security which he delivered as scheduled. Thereafter we had a discussion with the KFS Deputy Commandant Mr. Alex Lemarkoko on the final day presentation, expectations on the duty station KFS Standing orders and the dressing code in the field. To reduce the work load on the final day we cleaned and oiled the rifles to the use during the pass out parade. Thereafter we had to do personal administration, invite colleagues, friends and relatives to the graduation.

Day 41: Friday 19th/03/10 – Pass out Parade
The mood was full of excitement as each course men was heard saying “it is over-…” as everybody was upbeat as we did our level best to give the classic parade . Our instructors were happy for a job well done and wished us good luck as we went for breakfast and then final presentation.
All invited guests started to stream in at around 8.00 a.m and the preparation was almost over by 8.30 a.m. awaiting the chief guest permanent secretary Ministry of Forestry and Wildlife, Mr. Wamwachai, the chief guest arrived signed the visitors book then had tea.He inspected the quarter guard mounted by the administration police senior staff college – Emali then proceeded to the parade ground escorted by the Commandant APTC and Director Kenya Forest Service.

The Parade marched in slow and quick time with APTC Band providing the following songs to blend the march and entertain the guests for slow march – 1. Men of Harlech 2. Malaika, 3. Mugithi 4. Higher Ground 5. Nipe Uvumilivu, for the quick time march – 1. Mambo Sawa sawa, 2. Vidonge, 3. Yesu Kanikuta Jangwani, 4. Niweze Kukupenda 5. Zilizopendwa.
Everybody was amazed by the colourful display from the participants which showed total commitment, dedication, hard work, determination and focus to do their best. Immediately after the quick time march it was the time for advance in review order and present arms for general salute then the officers recited the Oath of Allegiance followed by the Presentation of Trophies to the best all round Officer Mr. Francis Msumbu, the Best all round Lady Officer Mrs. Charity Munyasya and best marksman Mr. Moses S. Masika.

The speeches followed with welcoming remarks from the Director of Studies CIP Mr. Benson Waweru on behalf of the Commanding officer (CO) Mr. Mwaniki who was away outside the country. He then welcomed the commandant – APTC who enumerated the course contented the Vision, Mission, and Motto and core values of administration police and commented the good partnership between AP and KFS as they Endeavour to serve Kenyan and protect, conserve and manage forests. He then invited the Director KFS who congratulated the participants for endurance, courage, adaptability, determination, focus and image change as now hence for it they will be disciplined and uniformed officers to drive the forest management, conservation, protection, enforcement and compliance. He was happy for developing their skills, knowledge and competence to the highest standards possible through the paramilitary training which should be translated in the field to improve on the forest management and service delivery to all Kenyans.

The Director KFS invited the Guest of Honor the PS Ministry of Forestry and Wildlife Mr. Wamwachai to address the graduates and other guests. He was impressed by the performance of the participants and said he was happy now that the forests will be safe from any destruction as the Forest Sector is undergoing transformation which is geared towards vision 2030 to increase the forest cover to 4% by 2012 and 10% by 2030. He called the officers to exercise what they have learnt in the last six weeks and uphold the Oath of Allegiance and serve Kenyans with dedication and commitment. The parade commander lead the parade in three cheers for the chief guest of honor then parade commander requested permission to march off the parade with APTC Band belting up songs. The participants congratulated each other and the instructors as they adorned the budges of ranks and handed over the rifles to the armourer ready for luncheon.

After the luncheon the course men received their certificates from the Chief Guest and brief speeches were made by the commandant APTC, Commandant KFS – ENCOM, Director KFS then the chief guest the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Forestry and Wildlife. Mr. Fred Ogombe gave the vote of thanks on behalf of the participants followed by group photographs.

In conclusion, I thank the Director – KFS for suggesting the Senior Officers to undergo the Paramilitary Training, his encouragement during the inauguration of the course.
I sincerely thank the Commandant KFS – ENCOM, Deputy Commandant and Head of Communications, Mr. Mworia for their support and keeping the KFS Staff and colleagues informed on our progress at APSSC – Emali.

Finally I would say the course has molded, transformed and changed me through sound knowledge on management, leadership, security issues, legal matters, survival skills and tactics, flexibility, physical fitness, public relations, conflict management and Police Procedures among others.

THANK YOU. GOD BLESS YOU. LONG LIVE KFS.
BENJAMIN M. KANYILI
0723393737
benkanyili@yahoo.com

Forestry in the News on Thursday, April 01, 2010

EA Standard- page 10-an advert by Kenya Forest Service on a running campaign to encourage people to plant trees.

Page 22-KFS Director David Mbugua says that the government will incorporate hotel management in the protection and conservation of Mangrove covers.

Daily Nation-page 34-an article with the title-“Youth tree planting project gets Sh11.2m”

Page 36-an article with the title-“Council boss surrenders Mau title deeds”

Kenya Times-an article with the title-“Tea union plan to plant 50,000 trees in Mau Forest rehab”

The People Daily-an article with the title-“Association launches tree-planting in 15 city schools”

Page 12-articles with the title-“Incinerating services a boost to environmental conservation” and another article tilted-“Policy-makers to get hotline to climate experts”

Page 13-an article with the title-“Global warming catches up with mankind”

Page 17-a picture of Forestry and Wildlife Minister Noah Wekesa and GMEA chief executive officer William Lay flagging off new cars at KFS head quarters in Karura

Miss Forest leads tree planting in Mt. Kenya University

Mike Bungei (centre) with Miss Forest, Maureen Ngugi and 1st Runner-Up, Miss Judy Faida at the function.

The Mayor, Board of Trustees Chairman, MoFW representative Mr. Kabugi are led by Miss Forest team in cutting the ribbon to launch the tree planting 

Maureen Ngugi, the reigning Miss Forest stands next to the plaque and is assisted in planting a tree by Miss. Judy Faida

1.      

On Saturday the 20th March, 2010, the Mount Kenya University was abuzz with activities that were geared towards conservation of the environment. It was also in tandem with the inauguration of The Forest Queen 2009, Miss Maureen Ngugi who is a student in the University. The event was also used as part of the World Forestry Day celebrations. 

The function was attended by the His Worship the Mayor of Thika, Mr. John Wandui, The Mount Kenya University Board of Trustees Chairman Mr. Simon Gicharu representing the Vice Chancellor who was away. The Ministry of Forestry and Wildlife was represented by several officers including the Forest Conservation Director, Mr. Hewson Kabugi representing the Permanent Secretary Mr. Mohammed Wa Mwachai who could not also make it to the event due to some unavoidable circumstances.

Speaking at the proposed site for Mount Kenya University Campus expansion during the event, Mr. Kabugi said the Government was encouraging everybody to plant trees to ensure that 4.1 million hectares will have been covered by the year 2030. He said that by doing so, the country will have an impressive 10% forest cover from the paltry 2% which is the current forest cover.

He appealed to Kenyans to ensure that at least 10% of their land is covered with trees. Kabugi also said that the Ministry of Forestry and Wildlife in conjunction with other stakeholders would ensure that all forest areas are rehabilitated. Schools and other institutions were called upon to plant trees in their respective compounds. He noted that the Government will come up with a national forest program that would enhance environmental restoration. He commended the University for being the pioneers in starting a forest of its own of about 20, ooo trees and urged other institutions to follow their example.

The University Board of Trustees Chairman Mr. Simon Gicharu told the gathering that the Campus had spent a whopping Ksh.7 M to fence off the campus site to keep off the grazing animals that have in the past been destroying the seedlings. He also said that the University had embarked on the project to lead in the way or reclaiming and restoring the forest cover. He gave out the benefits of trees as more rain, water and palatable environment.

His worship the Mayor of Thika, Mr.Wandui said that the council was proud to be associated with the University and would provide seedlings and manure to supplement the project.

During the event, Miss Forest Queen 2009 was inaugurated with the reigning Miss Forest Queen, Miss Maureen Ngugi unveiling a plaque and cutting a cake.  She was assisted by the 1st Runners up Miss Judy Faida who is a student at JKUAT. She thanked the University, the Kenya Forest Service and the Ministry of Forestry and Wildlife for the support she has been accorded to reach where she was. She also encouraged the other Universities to start projects like the one she was involved in to encourage the youth to be on the forefront in environmental conservation activities.

Story & Pictures- Courtesy Anne Kaari & Rahab Gitau 

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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.

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.