KFS to manage its own finances after generating Sh4.7 billion, Ruto says

President William Ruto has announced that starting next year, the Kenya Forest Service (KFS) will independently manage its financial affairs after generating Sh4.7 billion without relying on government funding.

Speaking on Monday during the pass-out parade for 569 inspector-cadets and foresters in Gilgil, Nakuru, Ruto revealed that the government only provided KFS with Sh280 million this year, a significant reduction compared to previous allocations.

“The rest of the Sh4.7 billion budget is raised by Kenya Forest Service itself. KFS now largely runs its operations from internally generated revenue, reducing dependency on the Exchequer,” he added.

He challenged other government agencies to emulate KFS by generating their resources and reducing dependency on Treasury funds.

“I have the undertaking of the Minister (CS Aden Duale) and the Kenya Forest Service that from next year, KFS will exit from requiring resources from the exchequer and they will run their affairs using their own internally generated resources,” Ruto said.

“Congratulations to you, and you serve as an example to other agencies to run on internally generated resources. This trajectory should be emulated by other government agencies. It is therefore important that we develop capacity, including human resource.”

Ruto also instructed KFS management to ensure that all tenders awarded are conducted transparently.

“All public resources in the forests will be tendered for in a transparent, clear manner so that we get value for the resources that we have in our forest and also develop capacity for our industries,” he said.

President William Ruto inspects a passing out parade of KFS inspector cadets and forester trainees at the National Youth Service headquarters in Gilgil, Nakuru County, on Monday, October 28, 2024. (Photo: PCS)

He further called on the newly graduated officers to maintain high standards of integrity throughout their careers.

The President also emphasised that past issues of laxity and incompetence have hindered the growth of the KFS.

“The challenge our Kenya Forest Service has faced in the past is that of laxity, incompetence, and integrity. I want to ask in this very important graduation ceremony: do not allow your career to be tainted with integrity issues, laxity or incompetence,” he said.

He encouraged the new graduates to seize the opportunity to transform KFS and position Kenya as a global environmental leader.

“You have the opportunity to change course for Kenya Forest Service and make Kenya truly the environmental headquarters of the world in serving in a dedicated manner in the responsibility bestowed on you today,” he said.

The Head of State, however, expressed pride in the accomplishments of KFS over the past two years, noting significant recruitment milestones.

“I am very proud of the achievements of the last two years. For the first time last year, we hired 2,600 forest rangers, the largest number in 20 years. Today we again make history that we have 465 forest officers, the largest number hired since independence. For the first time, we have hired 102 Forest Cadets,” he said.