H.E PRESIDENT WILLIAM S. RUTO PhD, CGH, ASSENTS FOREST CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT (AMENDMENT) ACT, 2025 INTO LAW.

Kenya has taken a major step in strengthening forest governance and climate action following the assent of the Forest Conservation and Management (Amendment) Act, 2025 by President William Samoei Ruto.

The new law amends the Forest Conservation and Management Act, 2016, providing an enhanced legal and institutional framework for the sustainable management, conservation, and restoration of forest resources in line with Article 69 of the Constitution and the country’s evolving climate change commitments.

The legislation is anchored on the National Forest Policy 2023, the first comprehensive forest policy developed since independence. The policy provides a modern framework for integrating climate resilience, ecosystem restoration, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable utilization of forest resources into national development planning.

A key feature of the new law is the introduction of significant institutional and governance reforms aimed at enhancing efficiency, accountability, and coordination across the forestry sector. The amendments strengthen the legal foundation of forestry institutions and clarify their mandates to support effective implementation of national forestry programmes.

Among the landmark reforms is the establishment of the Directorate of Forest Regulation, Kenya’s first dedicated forestry regulator. The directorate will be responsible for developing national standards, operational guidelines, and compliance mechanisms to strengthen oversight, transparency, and accountability within the sector.

The law also enhances the role of the Kenya Forest Service in ecosystem management, technical support, and collaboration with county governments and local communities. It further promotes agroforestry and off-reserve tree growing as part of efforts to achieve the national target of growing 15 billion trees by 2032.

To accelerate restoration efforts, the Act provides for the adoption of innovative forestry management approaches, including aerial seeding technologies and improved water harvesting systems, particularly in arid and semi-arid areas. These interventions are expected to support large-scale landscape restoration and strengthen climate resilience in vulnerable ecosystems.

The amendments also introduce modern financing mechanisms for sustainable forest management, including Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) frameworks and REDD+ nesting arrangements. These provisions are designed to attract climate finance, enhance participation in carbon markets, and ensure equitable benefit-sharing for communities involved in conservation activities.

In a move aimed at strengthening governance and public accountability, the law subjects forest ranger operations to oversight by the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA). This measure is expected to enhance professionalism, improve enforcement standards, and build public confidence in forest protection efforts.

Additionally, the legislation mandates the adoption of Natural Capital Accounting, requiring periodic valuation of forest resources and their integration into national economic planning. The provision formally recognizes the contribution of forests to water security, biodiversity conservation, climate regulation, tourism, agriculture, and rural livelihoods.

The law also introduces tougher penalties for forest-related offences, with fines increasing substantially in a bid to deter illegal logging, encroachment, and other activities that threaten forest ecosystems.

The enactment of the Forest Conservation and Management (Amendment) Act, 2025 marks a significant milestone in Kenya’s environmental governance journey, providing a comprehensive framework that combines regulatory reform, institutional strengthening, climate finance, technological innovation, and community participation to support sustainable forest management and climate action.

The signing ceremony was attended by Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Forestry Deborah Mlongo Barasa, Forestry Principal Secretary Mr. Gitonga Mugambi, Chief Conservator of Forests Mr. Alex Lemarkoko, Kenya Forestry Research Institute Chief Executive Officer Dr. Jane Njuguna, and Secretary for Forest Development Mr. George Tarus.