KENYA, JICA REVIEW PROGRESS OF FORESTRY COOPERATION PROGRAMMES.

Secretary for Forest Development Mr. George Tarus hosted a delegation from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) led by Mr. Kurimoto Masaru for discussions on the progress, achievements, and future direction of Kenya–JICA technical cooperation programmes in the forestry sector.

The meeting reviewed the long-standing collaboration between Kenya and JICA under the Sustainable Forest Management and Climate Change Response Project (SFS-CORECC), highlighting key milestones achieved in strengthening forest governance, conservation, and climate resilience across the country.

Speaking during the meeting, Mr. Tarus commended JICA for its continued support to Kenya’s forestry sector, noting that the partnership has significantly contributed to advancing sustainable forest management, ecosystem restoration, and climate adaptation efforts while enhancing institutional and technical capacity within the sector.

Discussions focused on achievements realized under the programme’s Policy Support and Green Finance component, including the development of the National Agroforestry Strategy, technical support for the review of the Forest Conservation and Management Act, 2016, and the preparation of the Forest Status Report. These initiatives have played an important role in strengthening the policy, legal, and institutional framework guiding the management of Kenya’s forest resources.

The meeting also reviewed progress made in the commercial forestry sub-sector, where the partnership has supported the promotion of sustainable forest-based enterprises, improved plantation management practices, strengthened forest value chains, and enhanced investment opportunities within the sector.

Looking ahead, both parties explored opportunities for continued collaboration through the Project for Enhanced Social and Commercial Forestry to Promote Resilience and Adaptation to Climate Change and the Project for Building Capacity on Tree Improvement and Landscape Restoration.

The discussions reaffirmed the strong partnership between Kenya and JICA in advancing sustainable forestry, climate resilience, and landscape restoration, while supporting national efforts to enhance environmental conservation and sustainable development.

Also present during the meeting were officers from the State Department for Forestry, led by Dr. Jesse Owino, Director of Agroforestry; Dr. Margaret Kaigongi, Senior Scientist; Mr. Stephen King'oo, Assistant Director for Forest Conservation, alongside officials from JICA and the State Department for Forestry.