Kenyan legislation

Forest Conservation and Management Act

Edition: 2026-06-16 · In force

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Part I – PRELIMINARY

1. Citation

This Act may be cited as the Forest Conservation and Management Act.

2. Interpretation

In this Act unless the context otherwise requires—“agro-silvopastoralism” means a production activity that combines pastoralism and agriculture in a partially wooded environment;“allied natural resources” means natural resources associated with forestry including, water, soil, fauna and flora, air, minerals and non-wood forest products;“benefits” mean quantifiable and non-quantifiable goods and services provided by forest ecosystems;"Board” means the Board of the Kenya Forest Service;“buffer zone” means a designated transition area of vegetation not exceeding one hundred metres wide separating a forest from other land use types intended to reduce external pressures and protect forest areas;"Cabinet Secretary” means the Cabinet Secretary responsible for matters relating to forestry;"chain of custody” means the channel through which products are distributed, tracked and monitored from their origin in the forest to their end-use;“commercial use” means any use of forest products or forest land, other than direct use for personal purposes or infrastructure development and it includes uses involving trade or any other disposition of forest products or forest land for direct or indirect financial benefits;“community” means a clearly defined group of users of forest land identified on the basis of ethnicity, culture or similar community of interests as provided under Article 63 of the Constitution;"community forest association” means a group of local persons who have registered as an association or other organization established to engage in forest management and conservation;“concession agreement” means authorization which is a long term agreement issued by the Service for the management of a specified forest area at a price determined after forest valuation and bidding;“customary rights” mean the rights which result from a long series of habitual or customary actions, constantly repeated, which have, by such repetition and by uninterrupted acquiescence, acquired the force of a law within a geographical or sociological unit;“Director-General” means the Director-General of the Institute appointed under section 29T;“ecosystem" means a dynamic complex of plant, animal micro-organism communities and their non-living environment interacting as a functional unit;“ecosystem services” means the benefits humans obtain from natural ecosystems, arising from interactions between living organisms and their environment and include the habitat for biodiversity, provision of essential resources like food and water, the regulation of environmental conditions such as climate and water quality, the support of life-sustaining processes like nutrient cycling and soil formation, tourism services such as recreation, hiking and aesthetic enjoyment and cultural benefits including rites of passage, prayers and other cultural activities;“forest" means land which is declared or registered as a forest, or woody vegetation growing in close proximity in an area of over 0.5 of a hectares including a forest in the process of establishment, woodlands, thickets;“forest carbon” means the amount of carbon absorbed and stored by trees and other plants in a forest;“forest certification” means a voluntary process where an independent third party assesses the quality of forest management and production against set standards;“forest cover” means an area of land covering a minimum of zero point five hectares, with trees of at least two meters in height and a canopy density of at least fifteen percent;“forestland" means a tract of land, including its flora and fauna, that is devoted to growing trees for the production of timber, wood and other forest products;“forest community” means a group of persons who have a traditional association with a forest for the purposes of livelihood, culture or religion;“forest concession” means the right of use granted to an individual or organization in respect to a specific area in a national or county forest by means of a long-term contract for the purpose of commercial forest management and utilization;“forest industries” means all businesses and organizations whose primary activities include growing, managing, processing or marketing of trees;“forest manager” means a person responsible for the management of a forest under his or her charge and implementation of this Act including—in the case of a public forest, the Kenya Forest Service or the County Government as the case may be;in the case of a community forest the person responsible for the management of community land under the relevant law; andin the case of a private forest, the owner of the private forest;“forest management plan” means a written document establishing direction and goals for the management, conservation and utilization of a specific forest land area; specifying—all silvicultural practices and activities necessary to accomplish the merchantable production of a forest product; andall practices that will minimize adverse environmental effects and improve livelihoods;“forest officer” includes the professional, technical and disciplined cadre of the Service;“forest owner” means—in the case of a public forest, the government as defined in Article 62(1)(g) of the Constitution;in the case of a community forest, the community as defined in Article 63 of the Constitution; andin the case of a private forest, the registered owner of the land as defined in Article 64 of the Constitution.“forest produce” includes bark, animal droppings, beeswax, canes, charcoal, creepers, earth, fibre, firewood, frankincense, fruit, galls, grass, gum, honey, leaves, flowers, limestone, moss, murram, soil, myrrh, peat, plants, reeds, resin, rushes, rubber, sap, soil, seeds, spices, stones, timber, trees, water, wax, withies, and such other things as may be declared by the Cabinet Secretary to be forest produce for the purpose of this Act;“forest resources” means anything of practical, commercial, social, religious, spiritual, recreational, educational, scientific, subsistence, or other potential use to humans that exists in the forest environment, including but not limited to flora, fauna, and microorganisms;“Fund” means the fund established pursuant to Section 27;“green zone” trees planted in an urban area covering less than 0.5 ha.“indigenous forest” means a forest which has come about by natural regeneration of trees primarily native to Kenya;“Institute” means the Kenya Forestry Research Institute established under section 29G;“joint management agreement” means authorization where the Service or the County Department responsible for forestry agrees to enter into partnership with other persons for the joint management of a specified forest area, specifying the contribution, rights and obligations of each party and setting out the methods of sharing the costs and benefits accruing from the forest so managed;“lead agency” means a national government entity, county government or any other entity in which any written law vests functions of control or management or any element of forest resources;“licence” means a permit or other written authorization issued under the provisions of this Act;“livestock” means domesticated animals such as cattle, goats, sheep, asses, poultry, horses, camels and pigs and includes their young thereof;“National Safeguards Information System” means a mechanism used to collect, monitor, and report how environmental and social standards are implemented in forest-related activities ensuring the protection of biodiversity, ecosystems, and the rights and livelihoods of local and indigenous communities;“nature reserve” means an area of land declared to be nature reserve under Section 39;“participatory forest management” means a forest management approach which deliberately involves the forest adjacent communities and other stakeholders in the management of forests within a framework that contributes to communities’ livelihoods;“payment for ecosystem services” means incentives offered to owners or managers of ecosystem resources in exchange for managing their resources for the provision of ecological services by beneficiaries;“permit” means authorization issued to a person to undertake a specified forestry-related activity or service;“person” means a natural person, an association, organization or a corporate body;“private forest" means forest as classified under Section 30(4);“property mark" means a mark placed on a log, timber or other forest produce with a prescribed instrument to denote ownership by the Service or any other person;“protected tree” means any tree or tree species which has been declared under this Act to be protected;”provisional forests” means any forest which has been declared a provisional forest by the Cabinet secretary under Section 35;“public forest” means forests as classified under 30(2) and (3);“Reduced Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation” has the meaning assigned to it under section 2 of the Climate Change Act;“Secretary” means the Secretary of Forest Regulation appointed under section 29B;“Service” means the Kenya Forest Service established under Section 7 of this Act;“special use licence” means authorization issued to a person to undertake an activity whose primary purpose is to yield public benefit in transportation, communication, energy, research or education;“timber” means any tree hat has been felled or which has fallen, and cut wood or logs;“timber grading” means the process of classifying wood based on its quality, strength, and appearance according to established regulations made under this Act.“timber licence” means authorization issued to a person for timber harvesting in a specified forest area;“wildlife” means all forms of fauna and flora other than domesticated plants and animals.(Act No. 15/2026, s. 2.)

3. Application of the Act

This Act shall apply to all forests on public, community and private lands.

4. Guiding Principles

The principles of this Act shall be—

(a)good governance in accordance with Article 10 of the Constitution;

(b)public participation and community involvement in the management of forests;

(c)consultation and co-operation between the national and county governments;

(d)the values and principles of public service in accordance with Article 232 of the Constitution;

(da)promotion of efficient water harvesting and management technologies for tree growing in dryland areas;

(e)protection of indigenous knowledge and intellectual property rights of forests resources; and

(f)international best practices in management and conservation of forests.(Act No. 15/2026, s. 3.)

5. Public Forest Policy

(1)The Cabinet Secretary shall, in consultation with the county government and relevant stakeholders, develop a national forest policy for the sustainable use of forests and forest resources.

(2)At least once in every five years, the Cabinet Secretary shall cause the forest policy to be reviewed in consultation with the county government.

6. Public Forest Strategy

(1)The Cabinet Secretary shall, within one year of the commencement of this Act and every five years thereafter, following public participation, formulate a public forest strategy.

(2)The object of the Forest Strategy shall be to provide the Government's plans and programs for the protection, conservation and management of forests and forest resources.

(3)The Forest Strategy shall contain, among other things, details of—

(a)existing forests and forest resources—

(i)measures for the protection, conservation, and management of forests and forest resources;

(ii)minimum forest reserve areas at national and county levels;

(iii)programmes for achievement and maintenance of tree cover of at least ten per cent of the land area of Kenya;

(iv)institutional capacity for forest research and technological development;

(v)functional responsibility for national and county governments in relation to forest resources management; and

(vi)any other matters the Cabinet Secretary considers necessary.

(4)The Cabinet Secretary shall—

(a)prepare and issue an annual report on the state of forests and forest resource strategies in Kenya; and

(b)may direct any lead agency to prepare and submit to it, a report on the state of forests and forest resources under the administration of that lead agency.

(5)The Cabinet Secretary shall review the Forest Strategy every three years.

Part II – ADMINISTRATION

7. Establishment of the Kenya Forest Service

(1)There is established a service to be known as the Kenya Forest Service.

(1A)The headquarters of the Service shall be in Nairobi.

(1B)The Service may establish such other offices in Kenya to ensure reasonable access to its services.

(2)The Service shall be a body corporate with perpetual succession and a common seal and shall, in its corporate name, be capable of—

(a)suing and being sued;

(b)taking, purchasing or otherwise acquiring, holding, charging or disposing of moveable and immovable property;

(c)entering into contracts; and

(d)undertaking or performing all other activities necessary for the proper performance of its functions under this Act that may lawfully be done or performed by a body corporate.(Act No. 15/2026, s. 4.)

8. Functions of the Service

The functions of the Service shall be to—

(a)conserve, protect and manage all public forests in accordance with the provisions of this Act;

(b)prepare and implement management plans for all public forests and, where requested, assist in preparation of management plans for community forests or private forests in consultation with the relevant owners;

(c)receive and consider applications for licenses or permits in relation to forest resources or management of forests or any other relevant matter in accordance with this Act;

(d)establish and implement benefit sharing arrangements in accordance with the provisions of this Act;

(e)assist county governments to build capacity in forestry and forest management in the counties;

(f)in consultation with relevant stakeholders, develop programmes for tourism and for recreational and ceremonial use of public forests;

(g)promote forestry education and training;

(h)register and maintain a register of all forest management plans prepared for public forests;

(i)collaborate with relevant persons in identifying research needs and applying research findings in relation to forests and forestry;

(j)manage water catchment areas in relation to soil and water conservation, carbon sequestration and other environmental services in collaboration with relevant stakeholders;

(k)prepare—

(i)a Forest Status Report for the Cabinet Secretary once in every two years; and

(ii)a Resource Assessment Report for the Cabinet Secretary once in every five years;

(l)consider and recommend to the Cabinet Secretary the establishment of public forests on un-alienated public land or any other public land;

(m)consider and recommend to the Cabinet Secretary the determination and alteration of boundaries of public forests;

(n)establish forest conservancy areas for purposes of conservation and management;

(na)collect revenue and charges due to the national government in regard to forest resources and services in accordance with the Public Finance Management Act;

(nb)provide security for public and provisional forests;

(nc)provide technical assistance to the county governments in the development of agroforestry and commercial forestry in community land.

(o)approve the provision of credit facilities and technical training for community-based forest industries, and the provision of incentives to persons for the sustainable utilization of wood and non-wood forest products;

(p)implement and enforce rules and regulations governing importation, exportation and trade in forest produce; and

(q)develop, maintain and regularly update a geographic information system database of all forests in Kenya.(Act No. 15/2026, s. 5.)

9. The Board

(1)The Service shall be managed by a Board of Directors which shall comprise of—

(a)a chairperson, appointed by the President;

(b)the Principal Secretary responsible for forestry or a designated representative;

(c)the Principal Secretary responsible for National Treasury or a designated representative;

(d)the Inspector-General of the National Police Service or a designated representative;

(e)the Director of the Kenya Forestry Research Institute or a designated representative;

(f)the Chief Conservator of Forests who shall be the secretary to the Board but shall not have a vote; and

(g)four other persons appointed by the Cabinet Secretary, of whom—

(i)one shall be nominated by the Forestry Society of Kenya;

(ii)one shall be a representative of a registered community forest association;

(iii)one shall represent the forest industry; and

(iv)one person nominated by the Council of Governors.

(2)A person shall be qualified for appointment as chairperson to the Board if such person—

(a)holds a minimum of a bachelors degree from a university recognized in Kenya;

(b)has knowledge and experience of at least ten years in matters relating to any of the following—

(i)management of natural resources;

(ii)forest conservation and management; or

(iii)public administration and planning.

(c)satisfies the requirements of Chapter six of the Constitution.

(3)The members of the Board under subsection (1)(a) and (1)(g) shall hold office for a period of three years and shall be eligible for re-appointment for a further term of three years.

(4)A person shall not be appointed to the Board if the person—

(a)has been convicted of a criminal offence and imprisoned for a term exceeding six months without the option of a fine;

(b)is a member of a governing body of a political party;

(c)has previously been removed from public office for contravention of the provisions of the Constitution or any other written law;

(d)is an un-discharged bankrupt; and

(e)violates the Constitution or any other written law.

(5)The appointment of the chairperson and the members appointed under subsection (1)(g) shall be by name and by notice in the Gazette.

(6)All appointments made under this section shall be in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution.(Act No. 18 of 2018, Sch, Act No. 15/2026, s. 6.)

10. Powers of the Board

The Board shall have all the powers necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the Service under this Act and, in particular, the Board shall have power to—

(a)invest any moneys of the Service not immediately required for the purposes of this Act;

(b)co-operate with other organizations undertaking functions similar to its own, whether within Kenya or otherwise;

(c)set aside land for forestry research;

(d)offer services to any person upon such terms as the Board may from time to time determine.

11. Committees of the Board

(1)The Board may from time to time establish committees for the better carrying out of its functions.

(2)The Board may, with the approval of the Cabinet Secretary, co-opt into the membership of committees established under subsection (1) other persons whose knowledge and skills are found necessary for the functions of the Board.

(3)The Board may, by resolution either generally or in any particular case, delegate to any committee of the Board or to any member, officer, employee or agent of the Board, the exercise of any of the powers of the Board or the performance of any of the functions or duties of the Board.

12. Conduct of business and affairs of the Board

The business and affairs of the Board shall be conducted in accordance with the First Schedule to this Act.

13. Remuneration and allowances of Board members

A member of the Board shall be paid such remuneration or allowances, as the Salaries and Remuneration Commission may recommend.

14. The Chief Conservator of forests of the Service

(1)There shall be a Chief Conservator of Forests of the Service who shall be publicly and competitively recruited and appointed by the Board with the approval of the Cabinet Secretary.

(2)A person shall be qualified for appointment as the Chief Conservator of Forests of the Service if the person—

(a)is a citizen of Kenya;

(b)satisfies the requirements of Chapter six of the Constitution;

(c)has a master’s degree in any of the following fields—

(i)forestry;

(ii)natural resource management;

(iii)environmental studies;

(iv)strategic management;

(v)law;

(vi)economics; or

(vii)public administration;

(d)has at least ten years professional experience in the relevant field at management level.

(3)The Chief Conservator of Forests shall hold office for a term of four years, and be eligible for re-appointment for a further term of four years.

(4)The Chief Conservator of Forests shall, subject to the direction of the Board, be responsible for the day to day management of the Service.

(5)The Chief Conservator of Forests shall, subject to the direction of the Board, be responsible for the direction of the affairs and transactions of the Service and the exercise, discharge and performance of its objectives, functions and duties.(Act No. 15/2026, s. 7.)

15. Staff of the Service

The Board may appoint such officers and other staff of the Service as are necessary upon such terms and conditions of service as the Board, on the recommendation of the Salaries and Remuneration Commission, may determine.

16. Uniformed and disciplined staff

(1)The Cabinet Secretary responsible for matters related to internal security may, on the advice of the Service, designate a specific cadre of the staff of the Service to be uniformed and disciplined officers of such ranks as shall be determined by the Service with the approval of the Cabinet Secretary.

(2)The Board may prescribe a disciplinary code for the cadre of staff designated under this section to be a uniformed and disciplined force.

(3)In the performance of their functions and the exercise of their powers, the rights of the cadre of staff designated under this section may be limited in accordance with the provisions of Article 24(5) of the Constitution.

(4)The staff designated under subsection (1) shall undergo law enforcement and security training in an institution recognized by the Board.

(5)A person designated under subsection (1) shall take and subscribe to the Oath of Allegiance as set out in the Fourth Schedule.

(6)Without prejudice to the foregoing, the provisions of Part III and Part IV of the Independent Policing and Oversight Authority Act, shall apply, with the necessary modifications, to uniformed and disciplined officers under this Act.(Act No. 15/2026, s. 8.)

17. Kenya Forestry College

(1)There is hereby established a college to be known as the Kenya Forestry College that shall—

(a)provide forestry education;

(b)provide vocational and technical training courses in forest conservation, and the management and sustainable utilization of forests; and

(c)provide training in the protection of forests and allied natural resources.

(2)The College shall develop training programmes from certificate to diploma level in forest management and utilization.

(3)The College shall, in consultation with stakeholders, design training programmes to support apprenticeship and vocational training in the forest sector including short courses for communities, private forest owners and forest industries.

(4)The Board shall formulate policies for the administration and management of the College.

18. Honorary foresters

(1)The Cabinet Secretary may, on recommendation of the Board, appoint suitable volunteers to be honorary foresters.

(2)An honorary forester shall—

(a)be appointed by notice in the Gazette;

(b)hold office, subject to such conditions as the Cabinet Secretary may prescribe, for a period of three years; and

(c)have such functions as may be prescribed by rules made under this Act.

19. Protection from personal liability

(1)No matter or thing done by any member of the Board, officer, employee or agent of the Service shall, if the matter or thing is done in good faith for executing the functions, powers or duties of the Service, render the member, officer, employee, agent or any person acting on their directions personally liable to any action, claim or demand whatsoever.

(2)Any expenses incurred by any person in any suit or prosecution brought against him or her in any court, in respect of any act which is done or purported to be done by him or her under the direction of the Board, shall if the court holds that such act was done in good faith, be paid out of the funds of the Service, unless such expenses are recovered by him or her in such suit or prosecution.

(3)For the avoidance of doubt, nothing in this section shall exempt a member of the Board, officer, employee or agent of the Service from individual responsibility for unlawful or criminal acts committed by that member of the Board, officer, employee or agent of the Service.

20. Forest conservation areas and committees

(1)The Board shall establish forest conservation areas for the proper and efficient management of forests and may divide such conservation areas into ecosystems.

(2)There shall be established a forest conservation committee in respect of each forest conservation area.

(3)The functions of a forest conservation committee shall be to—

(a)make recommendations to the Board and to the relevant county government in relation to the conservation and utilisation of forests;

(b)identify and recommend areas to be set aside for the creation of public forests; and

(c)perform any other function that may be assigned to it by the Board.

(4)A forest conservation committee shall consist of—

(a)a chairperson appointed by the Board;

(b)the relevant county executive committee member responsible for forestry or their designated representative;

(c)the relevant forest officer in-charge;

(d)three other persons appointed by the Board and nominated by—

(i)relevant community forest associations;

(ii)relevant forest industries in the forest conservation area; and

(iii)relevant civil society organizations involved in forest conservation and operating in the forest conservation area.

(5)The members of a forest conservation committee appointed in accordance with subsection (4)(a) and subsection (4)(d) shall hold office for a period of three years and shall be eligible for a further term of three years.

(6)A person who is not a member of a forest conservation committee may be invited to attend meetings of the committee and take part in its deliberations but shall not have a right to vote.

(7)A member of a forest conservation committee shall be entitled to be paid such allowances as the Salaries and Remuneration Commission may recommend.

(8)The Board may set aside funds for the proper functioning of the committees.

(9)The Cabinet Secretary may, in consultation with the Board, make Regulations governing the procedures of the forest conservation committees.

21. Forestry functions of County Governments

(1)Each County Government—

(a)shall implement national policies on forest management and conservation;

(b)shall manage all forests on public land defined under Article 62(2) of the Constitution;

(c)shall prepare an annual report, with the approval of the County Assembly, for the Service on the activities of the county government in relation to this Act and any national policies on forest management and conservation;

(d)shall promote afforestation activities in the county;

(e)shall advice and assist communities and individuals in the management of community forests or private forests; and

(f)may enter into joint management agreements with communities or individuals for the management of community forests or private forests.

(2)A county assembly may enact legislation for the better carrying into effect of the provisions of this section.

(3)The Service may if requested, collaborate, partner or offer assistance to the County Government for the better carry out the provisions of this Act.

22. Forestry research and development

(1)The Kenya Forestry Research Institute shall be the agency in forestry research and development.

(2)The Institute shall develop research and development programmes to provide information and technologies for sustainable development of forestry and allied natural resources.

(3)The Institute shall, in consultation with relevant organizations—

(a)prepare forestry research and development strategies for the country;

(b)conduct expert training courses in forestry and allied natural resources;

(c)disseminate research findings to support forestry development in the country and counties; and

(d)participate in the development and monitoring of national forest standards.

(4)The Institute shall, on a regular basis, compile and submit a report for the Cabinet Secretary relating to forestry research and development.(Act No. 15/2026, s. 9.)

Part III – FINANCIAL PROVISIONS

23. Funds of the Service

The funds of the Service shall consist of—

(a)such moneys as may be appropriated by Parliament for the purposes of the Service;

(b)such moneys as may accrue to or vest in the Service in the course of the exercise of their powers or the performance of its functions under this Act;

(c)such moneys as may be payable to the Service pursuant to this Act or any other written law;

(d)such gifts as may be given to the Service; and

(e)all moneys from any other source provided, donated or lent to the Service.

24. Financial Year

The financial year of the Service shall be the period of twelve months ending on the thirtieth June in each year.

25. Annual Estimates

(1)At least two months before the end of each financial year, the Board shall cause to be prepared estimates of the revenue and expenditure of the Service for that financial year.

(2)The annual estimates shall make provision for all estimated expenditure of the Service for the financial year, and in particular shall provide for—

(a)preparation and operationalization of management plans for all public forests;

(b)protection and conservation of all indigenous forests in public forests;

(c)development and promotion under licence of timber and bamboo plantations and recreational tourism in public forests;

(d)fulfillment of any other activities either in the Strategic Plan or as deemed necessary by the Board;

(e)payment of the salaries, allowances and other charges in respect of the members of staff of the Service;

(f)payment of the pensions, gratuities and other charges in respect of retirement benefits payable to the members of staff of the Service;

(g)proper maintenance of the buildings and grounds of the Service;

(h)proper maintenance, repair and replacement of the equipment and other movable property of the Service;

(i)creation of such reserve funds to meet future or contingent liabilities in respect of retirement benefits, insurance, replacement of buildings or equipment, or in respect of such other matters as the Board may deem fit; and

(j)capacity building for county governments for forestry development.

(3)The annual estimates shall be submitted to the Cabinet Secretary.

(4)No expenditure shall be incurred for the purposes of the Service except in accordance with the annual estimates submitted under subsection (3), or in pursuance of an authorization of the Board given with prior written approval of the Cabinet Secretary, and the Cabinet Secretary responsible for the National Treasury.

26. Accounts and audit

(1)The Board shall cause to be kept proper books and other records of accounts of the income, expenditure, assets and liabilities of the Service.

(2)Within a period of three months after the end of each financial year, the Board shall submit to the Auditor-General the accounts of the Service, in respect of that year, together with a statement of—

(a)income and expenditure during that financial year; and

(b)assets and liabilities of the Service on the last day of that financial year.

(3)The accounts of the Service shall be examined, audited and reported upon annually by the Auditor-General in accordance with the provisions of the law relating to public audit.

27. Forest Conservation and Management Trust Fund

(1)There is hereby established a fund to be known as the Forest Conservation and Management Trust Fund.

(2)The objects of the Trust Fund shall be to nurture, promote and support innovations and best practices in forest conservation and development including the support of—

(a)community forestry programmes;

(b)reforestation and afforestation programmes;

(c)forestry extension programmes;

(d)apprenticeships and vocational training; and

(e)programmes for payment for ecosystem services.

(3)The Cabinet Secretary shall make rules for the management of the Trust Fund.

28. Sources of funds

The Trust Fund shall consist of—

(a)monies from time to time appropriated by Parliament for purposes of the Fund;

(b)moneys levied for the use of forests or forest lands in such manner as the Cabinet Secretary may, upon the recommendation of the Board of Trustees end the Kenya Forest Service Board and in consultation with the Cabinet Secretary for the National Treasury, determine;

(c)income from investments made by the Board of Trustees;

(d)such sums of money or other assets as may be specifically designated from the funds of the Service; and

(e)such sums of monies as may be received by the Trust Fund in the form of endowments, grants, donations, bequests or other gifts.

29. Management of the Trust Fund

(1)The Trust Fund shall be managed by a Board of Trustees appointed by the Cabinet Secretary.

(2)The Board of Trustees shall comprise of—

(a)a chairperson and four other members appointed by the Cabinet Secretary in an open and competitive process;

(b)the Director-General or a designated representative, who shall be an ex officio member of the Board; and

(c)the principal Secretary responsible for forestry who shall be an ex officio member of the Board.

(3)The Board of Trustees shall—

(a)determine the amounts of money payable in respect of any purpose for which the Fund is established and formulate the conditions for disbursement;

(b)make necessary investments from the Fund for the realisation of the Fund's objectives, in securities approved from time to time by the National Treasury; and

(c)keep and maintain audited accounts of the Fund and publish such accounts in such manner as may be approved by the National Treasury.

(4)The Cabinet Secretary shall make regulations for the management and administration of the Fund.

Part IIIA – SECRETARY OF FOREST REGULATION

29A. Directorate

(1)There is established the Directorate of Forest Regulation which shall be an office in the public service.

(2)The Directorate shall be headed by the Secretary of Forest Regulation.(Act No. 15/2026, s. 10.)

29B. Appointment of Secretary

(1)The Secretary of Forest Regulation shall be competitively recruited and appointed by the Public Service Commission.

(2)A person shall be qualified to be appointed as a Secretary of Forest Regulation, if that person—

(a)is a citizen of Kenya;

(b)holds an undergraduate degree from a university recognized in Kenya;

(c)has a postgraduate degree in any of the following fields—

(i)forestry;

(ii)botany;

(iii)environment;

(iv)natural resources; or

(v)plant ecology;

(d)has had at least fifteen years’ proven experience in the relevant field; and

(e)meets the requirements of Chapter Six of the Constitution.(Act No. 15/2026, s. 10.)

29C. Functions of the Secretary

(1)The Secretary of Forest Regulation shall—

(a)advise the Cabinet Secretary on the development of national standards, codes, procedures and guidelines for participatory forest management, forest utilisation and forestry, forest products and services, and traceability systems for forest produce;

(b)issue regulatory guidelines to persons and entities within the forestry sector, and make recommendations to county governments and other public bodies on forestry matters;

(c)monitor, inspect and audit compliance with this Act and the applicable standards in forest management and protection;

(d)advise and make recommendations to the Cabinet Secretary, the Service, county governments and other agencies on enforcement actions, suspension, variation or revocation of licences;

(e)establish and coordinate a national forest compliance and enforcement framework in consultation with relevant agencies;

(f)register, license and regulate forest certification experts, timber graders, and such other professionals as may be prescribed by any written law;

(g)develop professional standards and codes of conduct for licensed professionals under this Act;

(h)ensure linkage of the national forestry registry with national systems, including carbon registry mechanisms under the Climate Change Act;

(i)develop reporting requirements for actors in the forestry sector;

(j)receive, review and analyse reports relating to forest-related activities;

(k)advise the Cabinet Secretary on regulatory risks, compliance status and corrective measures within the forestry sector;

(l)develop and monitor strategies for achieving and maintaining at least ten per cent tree and forest cover;

(m)monitor and provide regulatory oversight on ecosystem service payments, benefit-sharing mechanisms and other climate related forestry initiatives;

(n)establish and maintain the National Safeguards Information System;

(o)receive and investigate complaints made to it by any individual or entity with respect to any matter concerning forestry management and make recommendations to relevant authorities;

(p)prepare and publish annual reports on the state of regulation in the forestry sector and submit to the Cabinet Secretary for tabling before Parliament; and

(q)perform such other functions as may be assigned by the Cabinet Secretary or provided under this Act or any other written law.

(2)The Secretary of Forest Regulation or a duly authorized officer may—

(a)issue compliance notices requiring remedial action for purposes of compliance with this Act;

(b)require any person or entity to produce records, data or information necessary for regulatory oversight;

(c)at all reasonable times enter and inspect any forestry activities in any premises or installations;

(d)conduct audits and investigations to confirm compliance with this Act and applicable standards;

(e)impose administrative sanctions to forest certification experts, timber graders, and such other professionals licensed by the Secretary;

(f)recommend to the relevant authority the suspension, variation or revocation of licenses, permits or approvals;

(g)refer any matter for prosecution to the relevant authority with respect to any offences committed under this Act; and

(h)perform such other acts as may be necessary for the effective discharge of the functions of the Directorate.(Act No. 15/2026, s. 10.)

29D. Establishment and maintenance of registers

(1)The Secretary shall maintain a register that shall contain details of—

(a)any standards, procedures and guidelines developed under this Act;

(b)information on licences, permits and concessions; and

(c)registered and licenced professionals in the forestry sector.

(2)A register maintained under this section shall be open for inspection by the members of the public at the Directorate.

(Act No. 15/2026, s. 10.)

29E. Certification

(1)A forest certification required under this Act shall be undertaken by experts registered and licensed by the Secretary.

(2)Any person undertaking certification contrary to the provisions of this Act commits an offence and shall upon conviction be liable to a fine not exceeding one million shillings or imprisonment of one year, or both such a fine and imprisonment.

(Act No. 15/2026, s. 10.)

29F. Registration, etc of timber graders

(1)A person shall not undertake timber grading unless the person is registered and licenced by the Secretary to undertake timber grading.

(2)Any person undertaking timber grading contrary to the provisions of this Act commits an offence and shall upon conviction be liable to a fine not exceeding one million shillings or imprisonment of one year, or both such a fine and imprisonment.(Act No. 15/2026, s. 10.)

Part IIIB — KENYA FORESTRY RESEARCH INSTITUTE

29G. Establishment of the Kenya Forestry Research Institute

There is established an institute to be known as the Kenya Forestry Research Institute, which shall be a successor of the Kenya Forestry Research Institute specified under paragraph 2 of the Fourth Schedule to the Science Technology and Innovation Act (Cap. 511).(Act No. 15/2026, s. 10.)

29H. Headquarters of the Institute

(1)The headquarters of the Institute shall be in Kiambu County.

(2)The Institute may establish research centres, innovation and incubation hubs within the counties and agro-ecological zones in Kenya.

(3)The Institute shall be a body corporate with perpetual succession and a common seal and shall, in its corporate name, be capable of—

(a)suing and being sued;

(b)taking, purchasing or otherwise acquiring, holding, charging or disposing of movable and immovable property;

(c)borrowing money;

(d)entering into contracts; and

(e)doing or performing all other things or acts for the proper performance of its functions under this Act which may be lawfully done or performed by a body corporate.

(Act No. 15/2026, s. 10.)

29I. Functions of the Institute

(1)The Institute shall be the lead government agency in forestry research and development and shall, in relation to forestry and allied natural resources—

(a)develop research and development programmes and technologies for the sustainable development of forestry and allied natural resources;

(b)conduct national and regional expert training courses in forestry and allied natural resources;

(c)disseminate research findings to support forestry development in the country; and

(d)establish partnerships and cooperate with other research organisations and institutions of higher learning in joint research and training.

(2)Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (1), the Institute shall—

(a)participate in the development and monitoring of national forest standards;

(b)develop technologies for improved germplasm, tissue culture, biotechnology and provide quality tree seeds and seedlings;

(c)develop forestry technologies and products for sustainable development;

(d)develop and promote technologies for upscaling commercial forestry and agroforestry;

(e)maintain a database for scientific and forestry research information;

(f)develop standards on matters related to forestry research and development;

(g)assess, map, control and develop procedures for the control of invasive species;

(h)develop technologies and procedures for monitoring of forest health and biodiversity status;

(i)conduct research, develop models and procedures for forest carbon estimation and quantification in collaboration with relevant stakeholders;

(j)develop certification standards for tree seeds in collaboration with the Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service;

(k)undertake tree seed production;

(l)undertake policy research in forestry and allied natural resources;

(m)develop guidelines on forest and tree valuation;

(n)provide advisory services on commercial forestry and agroforestry investment to enhance adoption and upscaling;

(o)undertake forest forensic research and development;

(p)develop protocols and procedures for development of forest-based food and medicinal products;

(q)transfer of scientific knowledge and appropriate forest-based technologies for the improvement of their livelihoods of communities;

(r)develop technologies to upscale sustainable utilization of non-wood forest products as nature-based solutions in drylands;

(s)develop forest carbon trading models under agroforestry and commercial forestry systems;

(t)develop models and methodologies of forest carbon quantification, financing and marketing;

(u)report biennially to the Cabinet Secretary on matters related to forestry research and development; and

(v)perform such other functions as may be conferred to it by this Act or any other written law.

(3)The Institute, in consultation with the ministry responsible for matters related to education, may establish a forestry research graduate school, to facilitate research components of masters and doctorate levels academic programmes on forestry and allied natural resources.(Act No. 15/2026, s. 10.)

29J. Board of the Institute

The management of the Institute shall vest in a Board of the Institute which shall consist of—

(a)a chairperson appointed by the President;

(b)the Principal Secretary responsible for matters relating to forestry research or a representative appointed in writing;

(c)the Principal Secretary responsible for matters relating to finance or a representative appointed in writing;

(d)the Attorney-General or a representative appointed in writing;

(e)the Chief Conservator of Forests of the Kenya Forest Service or a representative appointed in writing;

(f)the Director-General of the National Commission for Science, Technology and Innovation or a representative appointed in writing;

(g)three other persons appointed by the Cabinet Secretary, out of whom—

(i)one shall be nominated by the Forestry Society of Kenya;

(ii)one shall be a member of a registered community forest association; and

(iii)one shall represent the forest industry;

(h)the Director-General, who shall be an ex officio member of the Board with no right to vote.(Act No. 15/2026, s. 10.)

29K. Qualifications for appointment as a member of the Board

(1)A person is qualified for appointment under subsection 29J(a) and (g) if that person—

(a)has a degree in a relevant field from a university recognised in Kenya;

(b)has proven management or other relevant professional experience;

(c)has served in a senior management position for at least six years; and

(d)meets the requirements of Chapter Six of the Constitution.

(2)The appointment of the Chairperson and members of the Board of the Institute shall be by name and by notice in the Gazette.(Act No. 15/2026, s. 10.)

29L. Tenure of office

(1)The chairperson and members of the Board appointed under section 29J (g) shall hold office for a term of three years and shall be eligible for reappointment for one other term of three years.

(2)The members of the Board shall be appointed at different times so that their terms of office expire at different intervals.(Act No. 15/2026, s. 10.)

29M. Remuneration of members of the Board

A member of the Board of the Institute shall be paid such allowance or other renumeration as the Cabinet Secretary may, on the advice of the Salaries and Remuneration Commission determine.(Act No. 15/2026, s. 10.)

A member of the Board of the Institute shall be paid such allowances or other remuneration as the Cabinet Secretary may, on the advice of the Salaries and Remuneration Commission, determine.

29N. Vacancy

(1)The office of the chairperson or member of the Board of the Institute shall become vacant if the holder—

(a)dies;

(b)is absent from three consecutive meetings of the Board of the Institute without reasonable cause;

(c)resigns from office by notice in writing addressed to the appointing authority;

(d)is unable to perform the functions of the office arising out of physical or mental infirmity;

(e)is negligent or incompetent in the performance of his or her functions;

(f)is adjudged or otherwise declared bankrupt by a competent court;

(g)violates Chapter Six of the Constitution; or

(h)is convicted of a criminal offence and sentenced to imprisonment for a term of not less than six months.

(2)Where a vacancy occurs in the membership of the Board of the Institute under subsection (1), the appointing authority shall appoint a new member in accordance with the provisions of this Act.(Act No. 15/2026, s. 10.)

29O. Functions of the Board of the Institute

The Board of the Institute shall—

(a)review, approve and oversee the implementation of research programs, strategies, policies and plans of the Institute;

(b)consider and approve the budget of the Institute;

(c)facilitate the mobilisation of resources for the Institute.

(d)approve the organisational structure and other human resources management policies, guidelines, procedures and manuals of the Institute;

(e)monitor and evaluate the performance and ensure the sustainability of the Institute;

(f)enhance the corporate image of the Institute and ensure effective communication with stakeholders; and

(g)carry out any other function for the purposes of promoting and facilitating the objects of the Institute.(Act No. 15/2026, s. 10.)

29P. Powers of the Board of the Institute.

The Board of the Institute shall have all the powers necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the Institute and, in particular, the Board shall have the powers to—

(a)acquire immovable and movable property and funds of the Institute in a manner and for the purposes which shall promote the interests of the Institute;

(b)determine the provisions to be made for capital and recurrent expenditure and for the reserves of the Institute;

(c)receive on behalf of the Institute, fees, donations, endowments, gifts, grants or other moneys and make disbursements therefrom in accordance with the law;

(d)invest any moneys of the Institute not immediately required in furtherance of its objects; and

(e)do any other thing which is necessary or convenient to be done in connection with or incidental to its functions.(Act No. 15/2026, s. 10.)

29Q. Procedure of the Board of the Institute

(1)The business and affairs of the Board of the Institute shall be conducted in accordance with the First Schedule.

(2)Notwithstanding subsection (1), the Board may regulate its own procedure.(Act No. 15/2026, s. 10.)

29R. Delegation by the Board of the Institute

The Board of the Institute may, by resolution, either generally or in any particular case, delegate to any committee of the Board of the Institute or to any member, officer, or employee of the Institute, exercise of any of its powers or the performance of any of its functions.

29S. Committees of the Board of the Institute

(1)The Board of the Institute may, establish committees for the effective discharge of its functions.

(2)The Board of the Institute may, by resolution, either generally or in any particular case, delegate to a committee of the Board the exercise of any of the powers or the performance of any of the functions or duties of the Board of the Institute.

(3)The Board of the Institute may co-opt into the membership of a committee established under subsection (1), any person whose knowledge and skills are considered necessary for the effective discharge of the functions of the Institute for a specified period of time.

(4)Subject to any specific or general direction of the Board, any committee established under subsection (1) may regulate its own procedure.

(5)Any person co-opted into a committee under subsection (3) may attend the meetings of the committee and participate in its deliberations, but shall not vote at such meeting.

29T. Director-General

(1)There shall be a Director-General of the Institute who shall be competitively recruited and appointed by the Board of the Institute.

(2)A person qualifies for appointment as the Director-General, if that person—

(a)possesses a Doctorate degree in any of the following fields—

(i)forestry;

(ii)botany;

(iii)environmental studies;

(iv)natural resources;

(v)public administration;

(vi)economics;

(vii)strategic management; or

(viii)plant ecology;

(b)has at least ten years’ professional experience in matters related to the forestry sector, five of which shall be at a senior management level;

(c)is a member of a relevant professional body in good standing; and

(d)meets the requirements of Chapter Six of the Constitution.

(3)The Director-General shall be responsible to the Board for—

(a)implementation of the decisions of the Board;

(b)the day-to-day management of the Institute;

(c)overall responsibility for the objectives, policy direction, administration and programs of the Institute;

(d)preparation of the strategic plan, annual plan, budget and audited accounts of the Institute for the approval of the Board; and

(e)perform such other duties as may be assigned by the Board.

(4)The Director-General shall hold office for a term of three years, and shall be eligible for re-appointment for one further term of three years.

(5)The Director-General may be removed from office for—

(a)inability to perform the functions of the office arising out of physical or mental incapacity;

(b)gross misconduct;

(c)incompetence or negligence of duty; or

(d)any other ground that would justify the removal from office under the terms and conditions of service and under any written law.

(6)Where the question of the removal of the Director-General under subsection (5) arises, the Board of the Institute shall—

(a)inform the Director General in writing of the reasons for the intended removal; and

(b)give the Director-General the opportunity to be heard in accordance with the principles of fair administrative action prescribed under Article 47 of the Constitution and the Fair Administrative Action Act (Cap. 7L).

29U. Officers and staff of the Institute

The Board of the Institute may appoint such officers and other staff of the Institute as are necessary for the proper and effective performance of the functions of the Institute, upon such terms and conditions of service as the Board of the Institute, on the recommendation of the Salaries and Remuneration Commission, may determine.(Act No. 15/2026, s. 10.)

29V. Protection from personal liability

Nothing done by a member of the Board of the Institute or by any person working under the instructions of the Board shall, if done in good faith for the purpose of executing the powers, functions or duties of the Institute under the Constitution or this Act, render such member or officer personally liable for any action, claim or demand.(Act No. 15/2026, s. 10.)

29W. Funds of the Institute

The funds of the Institute shall include—

(a)such sums as may be appropriated by the National Assembly for the purposes of the Institute;

(b)such monies as may accrue or vest in the Institute in the course of the exercise of its powers or the performance of its functions under this Act or any other written law;

(c)gifts, grants or donations made to the Institute; and

(d)such amounts from any public funds that may be created by law for the purposes of the promotion of any and all of the objects and functions of the Institute.(Act No. 15/2026, s. 10.)

29X. Annual estimates for the Institute

(1)At least two months before the end of each financial year, the Board of the Institute shall cause to be prepared estimates of the revenue and expenditure of the Institute for that financial year.

(2)The annual estimates shall make provision for all estimated expenditure of the Institute in the financial year for the fulfilment of its functions.

(3)The annual estimates for the Institute shall be submitted to the Cabinet Secretary for approval.

(4)No expenditure shall be incurred for the purposes of the Institute except in accordance with the annual estimates submitted under subsection (3), or in pursuance of an authorization of the Board of the Institute.(Act No. 15/2026, s. 10.)

29Y. Investment of the surplus funds

(1)The Board of the Institute may invest any surplus funds of the Institute which are not immediately required for its purposes in such securities as the National Treasury may, from time to time, approve.

(2)The Board of the Institute may place on deposit with such bank or banks as it may determine any moneys not immediately required for the purposes of the Institute.(Act No. 15/2026, s. 10.)

29Z. Award to inventor or innovator

(1)Where the rights to any invention or innovation have been vested to the Institute, the Board of the Institute may award to the inventor or innovator such bonus as it may deem fit, or make provision for financial participation by the inventor or innovator in the profits derived from the invention or innovation.

(2)The Institute may apply for a patent in respect of any invention or innovation contemplated in subsection (1) and shall for purposes of the Copyright Act (Cap. 130) and the Industrial Property Act (Cap. 509) be regarded as the assignee of the inventor or innovator of the invention or innovation.(Act No. 15/2026, s. 10.)

Part IV – CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT OF FORESTS

30. Classification of forests

(1)Forests may be classified as public, community or private forests.

(2)Public forests include—

(a)public forests classified under Article 62 (1)(g) of the Constitution; and

(b)forests on land between the high and low water marks classified under Article 62 (1)(1) of the Constitution.

(3)Community forests include—

(a)forests on land lawfully registered in the name of group representatives;

(b)forests on land lawfully transferred to a specific community;

(c)forests on any other land declared to be community land by an Act of Parliament;

(d)forests on land that is lawfully held, managed or used by specific communities as community forests;

(e)forests on ancestral lands and lands traditionally occupied by hunter-gatherer communities; and

(f)forests lawfully held as trustland by the county governments, but not including any public land held in trust by the county governments under Article 62 (2) of the Constitution.

(4)Private forests include—

(a)forests on registered land held by any person under any freehold tenure;

(b)forests on land held by any person under leasehold tenure;

(c)any forest owned privately by an individual, institution or body corporate for commercial or non-commercial purposes; and

(d)forests on any other land declared private land under an Act of Parliament.

31. Creation and management of public forests

(1)All public forests in Kenya are vested in the Service, subject to any rights of user in respect thereof, which by or under this Act or other written law, have been or are granted to any other person.

(2)The Cabinet Secretary may, on the recommendation of the Board and after consultation with the National Land Commission declare through a Gazette notice any un-alienated public land or any land purchased or otherwise acquired by the Service to be a public forest.

32. Management of community forests

(1)All community forests shall be vested in the community, subject to any rights of user in respect thereof, which by or under this Act or other written law, have been or are granted to any other person.

(2)The Service shall register each community forest in accordance with Regulations prescribed in accordance with this Act.

(3)The Service shall notify the relevant county government of the registration of a community forest as soon as is practicable of the registration.

(4)Upon registration under subsection (2), the community may apply—

(a)to the county government for technical advice regarding appropriate forestry practices and conservation; or

(b)to the Fund, subject to availability of funds, loans from the Fund for the development of the forest.

(5)A community that establishes or owns a community forest may apply to the relevant authorities for exemption from payment of all or part of the land rates and such other charges as may be levied in respect of the land on which the forest is established.

33. Management of private forests

(1)A person who owns a private forest, including a forest in the course of establishment, on land owned by the person, may apply to the Service for registration of the forest under this section.

(2)The Service shall register a forest under subsection (1) where the forest meets the criteria prescribed in rules made under this Act.

(3)Upon registration under subsection (2), the owner of a private forest may apply—

(a)to the Service for technical advice regarding appropriate forestry practices and conservation; or

(b)to the Fund, subject to availability of funds, loans from the Fund for the development of the forest,

provided that the funds are obtained and utilised in accordance with the procedures set out by the Service.

(4)A person who establishes or owns a private forest may apply to the relevant authorities for exemption from payment of all or part of the land rates and such other charges as may be levied in respect of the land on which the forest is established.

34. Variation of boundaries or revocation of public forests

(1)Any person may petition the National Assembly for the variation of boundaries of a public forest or the revocation of the registration of a public forest or a portion of a public forest.

(2)A petition under subsection (1) shall demonstrate that the variation of boundaries or revocation of the registration of a public forest or a portion of a public forest does not—

(a)endanger any rare, threatened or endangered species; or

(b)adversely affect its value as a water catchment area; and prejudice biodiversity conservation, cultural site protection of the forest or its use for educational, recreational, health or research purposes.

(2A)A petition under subsection (1) shall only be forwarded to the National Assembly on the recommendation of the Service.

(3)A petition made under subsection (1) shall be considered in accordance with the provisions of the Petitions to Parliament (Procedure) Act and the Standing Orders of the National Assembly.

(4)The Cabinet Secretary shall, within thirty days of the petition being committed to the relevant Committee, submit a recommendation on whether the petition should be approved subject to—

(a)the petition being subjected to an independent Environmental Impact Assessment; and

(b)public consultation being undertaken in accordance with the Second Schedule.

(5)If the relevant Committee, reports that it finds that the petition—

(a)does not disclose a ground for the variation of the boundaries of a public forest or the revocation of the registration of a public forest or a portion of a public forest, no further proceedings shall be taken; or

(b)discloses a ground for the variation of the boundaries of a public forest or the revocation of the registration of a public forest or a portion of a public forest, the National Assembly shall vote on whether to approve the recommendation.

(6)If the resolution under subsection (5)(b) is supported by a majority of the members of the National Assembly, present and voting, the Cabinet Secretary shall publish a notice in the Gazette.[Act No. 18 of 2018, Sch.]

35. Declaration and reversion of provisional forests

(1)Upon the recommendation of the Service or the relevant county government, the Cabinet Secretary may, by notice in the Gazette, declare any community or private forest, which in the opinion of the Service is mismanaged or neglected, to be a provisional forest.

(2)A notice in accordance with the provisions of this section shall only be made where—

(a)the forest—

(i)is an important catchment area or a source of water springs;

(ii)is rich in biodiversity and contains rare, threatened or endangered species;

(iii)is of cultural or scientific significance; or

(iv)supports an important industry and is a source of livelihood for the surrounding forest communities; and

(b)the Chief Conservator of Forests has issued a notice requiring the forest owner, as the case may be, to undertake specific silvicultural practices to improve the forest, and such notice has not been complied with, or the forest owner is unable to undertake the specified practices.

(3)A provisional forest shall be managed by the Service in collaboration with the owner thereof for a period of three years subject to review, and any profits accruing therefrom shall be paid to such owner less the expenses incurred by the Service in managing the forest concerned.

(4)A provisional forest shall revert to the owner where the Board is satisfied that it has been adequately rehabilitated and the owner has given an undertaking to efficiently manage it.

(5)The Board may, upon reversion of a provisional forest, prescribe for observance by the owner such conditions as may be necessary to ensure compliance with the provisions of this Act.[Act No. 18 of 2018, Sch.]

36. Exchange of forest area with private land

(1)Subject to subsection (2), the Service may, in consultation with the relevant government agencies and stakeholders, and with approval of the Cabinet Secretary, exchange part of a forest area with private land with the consent of the owner of such land where—

(a)the exchange enhances the efficient management and protection of the forest;

(b)the exchange is equitable to the Service and the land owner, according to an independent valuation;

(c)an independent Environmental Impact Assessment has been conducted and has shown that such exchange shall not adversely affect the environment; and

(d)the forest area to be exchanged does not contain rare, threatened or endangered species and is not a water catchment area or a source of springs.

(2)The Service may, with the approval of the Cabinet Secretary, acquire by purchase any land suitable to be declared a public forest in accordance with this Act.

(3)No purchase or exchange shall be transacted under this section unless prior public consultation is carried out in accordance with the Second Schedule.

(4)The Service may enter into an arrangement with the owner of public forest for the management of the forest.

37. Arboreta and recreational parks

(1)Every County Government shall, establish and maintain arboreta, green zones or recreational parks for use by persons residing within its area of jurisdiction.

(2)For the purposes of subsection (1), every County Government shall cause housing estate developers within its jurisdiction to make provision for the establishment of green zones at the rate of at least five percent of the total land area of any housing estate intended to be developed.

(3)Every County Government shall, establish and maintain a recreational park in every market centre within its area of jurisdiction.

(4)The Service shall facilitate and initiate the provision of technical assistance in the establishment and maintenance of green zones, recreational parks and arboreta by County Governments.

(5)No arboretum or recreational park shall be converted to any other use unless the County Department responsible for forestry, consults the residents of the area in the jurisdiction within which such arboretum, green zones or recreational park is situated.

(6)For purposes of this section, a County Department responsible for forestry may in consultation with the Service prescribe conditions as to the species of trees to be planted in a green zone, arboretum or recreational park.

38. Donations and bequests

(1)Any person who is registered as proprietor of land in accordance with the provisions of any written law may donate or bequeath all or part of that land to the Service, County Department responsible for forestry, an educational institution, an association or a non-governmental organisation for the development of forestry and the conservation of biodiversity.

(2)The forest established on the land so donated or bequeathed under subsection (1) shall be gazetted in accordance with this Act.

(3)The forest or land so donated or bequeathed shall not be used for any purpose other than the establishment and conservation of forests as originally desired by the previous owner.

39. Declaration of nature reserves

(1)The Cabinet Secretary may, upon the recommendation of the Board of the Service and after consultation with the relevant County Government and relevant stakeholders, by notice in the Gazette, declare any national, county, community or private forest, as a nature reserve.

(2)Where a nature reserve is to be declared by the Cabinet Secretary within community or private land, the Cabinet Secretary shall make prior arrangements for compensation to the forest owner.

(3)Every nature reserve shall be established for the following purposes—

(a)the conservation of forestland of particular environmental, cultural, scientific or other special significance;

(b)the preservation of biological diversity and threatened or endangered species.

(4)The Cabinet Secretary shall, at least ninety days before the making of an order under this section—

(a)publish in the Gazette and in at least two newspapers of nationwide circulation a notice of the intention to make the order; and

(b)invite comments from members of the public.

(5)The Cabinet Secretary shall in consultation with the Service take into account any comments received before making an order under this section.

(6)Whenever the Cabinet Secretary proposes to amend or revoke the order under this section, public notice of such an intention shall be given, and an opportunity for public comment provided as mentioned in subsection (4)(b).

(7)Upon declaration of a national, community or private forest as a nature reserve, the Chief Conservator of Forests shall in consultation with the relevant county governments, government agencies and stakeholders, prepare a management plan in respect to the declared nature reserve.

40. Protection of tree species

(1)The Cabinet Secretary, on the advice of the Kenya Forestry Research Institute, by order published in the Gazette, declare any tree species or family of tree species to be protected in the whole country or in specific areas thereof, and shall cause this information to be disseminated to the public.

(2)No person shall fell, cut, damage or remove, trade in or export or attempt to export any protected tree species or family of trees or regeneration thereof or abet in the commission of any such act.

(3)The provisions of subsection (1) shall be reversed when the Cabinet Secretary, on the advice of the Kenya Forestry Research Institute, is satisfied that the protection is no longer necessary.

(4)The Cabinet Secretary may prescribe Regulations or guidelines for the protection and regeneration of a protected tree species.

(5)Any person who fells, cuts, damages or removes, trades in or exports or attempts to export any protected tree, species or family of trees or regeneration thereof, or abets the commission of such act, commits an offence.[Act No. 18 of 2018, Sch.]

41. Joint management of forests

(1)A forest owner may enter into an agreement with any person for the joint management of any forests for a period to be specified in the agreement.

(2)The agreement referred to in subsection (1) may enjoin such person to use or refrain from using such forest or any part thereof in order to ensure the conservation of biodiversity:Provided that where an agreement enjoins such person to use or refrain from using the forest in any particular manner, it shall contain modalities of payment of compensation to such person for any loss incurred thereby.

(3)Where any person enters into an agreement in accordance with subsection (1) of this section, the agreement shall be enforceable against such person or his successors in title, assignees or any or all other persons deriving title from him.

(4)Nothing in this section shall render enforceable any conservation agreement entered into under subsection (1) where the use of such forest in accordance with such agreement contravenes the provisions of any law for the time being in force, or is inconsistent with any prior agreement relating to the use of such forest and which is binding on such owners, their successors in title.

42. Management of indigenous forests

(1)All indigenous forests and woodlands shall be managed on a sustainable basis for purposes of—

(a)conservation of water, soil and biodiversity;

(b)riparian and shoreline protection;

(c)cultural use and heritage;

(d)recreation and tourism;

(e)sustainable production of wood and non-wood products;

(f)carbon sequestration and other environmental services;

(g)education and research purposes;

(h)habitat for wildlife in terrestrial forests and fisheries in mangrove forests.

(2)In pursuance of subsection (1), the Service shall, in consultation with the forest conservation committee for the area where the indigenous forest is situated, prepare forest management plans.

(3)The Service may enter into a joint management agreement for the management of any indigenous forest or part thereof with any person, institution, government agency or forest association.

(4)A person responsible for a public forest or community forest or community forest shall designate specific areas of the forest as buffer zones to reduce negative edge effects and enhance ecosystem services.(Act No. 15/2026, s. 11.)

43. Management of plantation forests

(1)All plantation forests in a public forest shall be managed on a sustainable basis for the production of wood and other forest products and services for commercial purposes.

(2)Where the Service is satisfied that all or part of a public forest which is a plantation forest may be efficiently managed through a licence, concession, contract, joint agreement, it may place an advertisement in at least two daily newspapers of national circulation calling for applications from interested persons for the management of the public forest.

(3)An applicant for the management of a public forest in accordance with this section shall submit the application together with a proposed management plan in respect of the forest.

(4)A person aggrieved by the decision of the Service in relation to the application made in accordance with this may appeal to the Environment and Land Court within sixty days of the decision.

(5)A licence, concession, contract or joint management agreement made in accordance this section shall comply with the Constitution, this Act and any relevant written law.

(6)The Service shall consider the interests of the local communities in the management of public forests.

43A. Management of forest including dryland

(1)All forests, including dryland forests, shall be managed on a sustainable basis to promote integrated management of dryland forests through traditional and conventional management systems.

(2)The Service and the Institute, in collaboration with relevant lead agencies, county governments and private owners, shall upscale commercial and non-commercial, agro-silvo-pastoralism, fuit and fodder trees in dryland areas.

(3)The Service and the Institute shall promote sustainable harvesting and value addition of non-wood forest products derived from trees and forests.

(4)The Institute shall in collaboration with county governments and other relevant stakeholders establish technologies for tree improvement, non-timber value addition and introduction of high value species programme for the drylands.

(5)The Cabinet Secretary, in consultation with the Directorate, shall prescribe guidelines, standards and procedures for the management and utilisation of dryland forests.(Act No. 15/2026, s. 12.)

44. Concession on public forests

(1)Where the Service is satisfied that utilization of a public forest can be done through the granting of a concession, the Service shall grant the concession subject to the provisions of the Constitution, this Act and any other relevant written law.

(2)The Service shall not recommend any such proposal unless—

(a)the proposal has been subjected to an independent environmental impact assessment; and

(b)public consultation in accordance with the Second Schedule has been undertaken and completed.

(3)The grantee of a concession shall—

(a)comply with the guidelines or management plans prescribed by the Service;

(b)prepare environmental and social impact assessments as may be required under any other written law;

(c)prepare a concession area forest management plan that shall include inventories, reforestation or replanting programmes, annual operation plans and community user rights and benefits;

(d)protect the concession area from destruction and encroachment by any other person;

(e)ensure that the forest areas under his management are maintained for the conservation of biodiversity, cultural or recreational use;

(f)maintain the physical boundaries of the concession;

(g)take precautions to prevent the occurrence or spread of forest fires in connection with any or all operations within or outside the concession area;

(h)ensure that all structures and facilities constructed or operated by and in connection with any activities are maintained according to the conditions of the licence; and

(i)pay applicable land rent, fees and other charges for utilizing forest resources within the concession area;

(4)The concession shall indicate the nature of the concession, including its physical location and boundaries, and the purpose for which it is granted.

(5)A grantee of a concession shall be personally responsible for any loss or damage, including the negligence of the grantee's employees, arising from the grantee's operations on the land for which the concession has been obtained.

(6)The Service may, by notice in the Gazette, withdraw a concession granted under this section where a grantee breaches any of the conditions prescribed by this section or prescribed in the concession agreement.

(7)A grantee of a concession shall provide a bond or some other form of financial security in this section referred to as "an Environmental Protection Bond".

(8)An Environmental Protection Bond shall be of an amount sufficient to cover the costs associated with the implementation of the environmental obligations of the holder under this Act.

(9)An Environmental Protection Bond shall be in a form and for an amount as may be determined by the Cabinet Secretary having regard to the particular characteristics of the concession.

45. Forest management agreements

(1)The Service may advertise, receive applications from any person, institution or organization and through a competitive process, approve and enter into an appropriate management agreement for all or part of a public forest.

(2)A management agreement entered into under subsection (1) shall specify—

(a)the period for which the forest shall be managed;

(b)the terms and conditions under which the applicant shall manage the forest;

(c)any royalties and charges payable in respect thereof to the Service;

(d)the mechanism for settlement of disputes arising in respect of the agreement;

(e)the circumstances under which the agreement may be terminated; and

(f)the benefits which the applicant shall extend to the local community.

(3)Nothing in this section shall be deemed to transfer or to vest in any person, institution, or organisation any right of ownership of any land declared to be a public, other than the privilege of management and control.

(4)No management agreement shall convert a public forest into a settlement area.

(5)The Cabinet Secretary may prescribe Regulations to give effect to this section.

46. Consent for quarrying

(1)The Service shall only give its consent for quarrying operations in a forest area where—

(a)the area does not contain rare, threatened or endangered species;

(b)the forest does not have any cultural importance or contain sacred trees or groves;

(c)an independent Environmental Impact Assessment or audit has been carried out;

(d)the forest is not an important catchment area or source of springs:Provided that the Cabinet Secretary shall, on the recommendation of the Service, and in consultation with the Cabinet Secretary responsible for environment, and the relevant government agencies, publish rules to Regulate and govern quarrying operations in forest areas; and

(e)the carrying on of the quarrying operations shall not contravene any Regulations made in accordance with this Act.

(2)Subject to subsection (1), quarrying may be carried out in a public forest under the authority of a licence issued by the Service and in accordance with any other relevant written law.

(3)A licence under subsection (2) shall not be issued unless the applicant has implemented safety measures to prevent injury to human beings, livestock and wildlife traversing the forest.

(4)The conditions on which a licence for m quarrying an any allied activity carried out in the forest, shall, where the activity concerned is likely to result in the depletion of forest cover in any forest, include a condition requiring the licensee to undertake compulsory restoration and re-vegetation immediately upon the completion of the activity.

(5)Re-vegetation shall be undertaken in consultation with the Service, which shall determine the seeds and seedlings proposed to be used in such re-vegetation.

47. Management plans

(1)Every public forest, nature reserve and provisional forest shall be managed in accordance with a management plan that complies with the requirements prescribed by Regulations made by the Cabinet Secretary.

(2)The Service shall be responsible for the preparation of a management plan with respect to each public forest, nature reserve and provisional forest.

(3)Every county government shall be responsible for the preparation of a management plan with respect to forests in the county.

(4)A community that owns a community forest may prepare a management plan for that community forest or it may request the relevant county government to prepare a management plan for the community forest.

(5)In preparing a management plan, the Service shall consult with the relevant forest conservation committees.

(6)The Chief Conservator of Forests and relevant county governments shall supervise the implementation of forest management plans for public forests in the case of the Chief Conservator of Forests and community and private forests in the relevant county in the case of the county government.

Part V – COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION

48. Application for community participation

(1)A member of a forest community may, together with other members or persons resident in the same area, register a community forest association in accordance with the provisions of the Societies Act (Cap. 108).

(2)A community forest association registered in accordance with this section may apply to the Service for permission to participate in the conservation and management of a public forest:Provided no such application shall be made where there is an existing prior agreement or license in relation to that forest.

(3)An application made in accordance with this section shall be in the prescribed form and shall provide—

(a)a list of the members of the association and its address;

(b)the Constitution of the association;

(c)the association's financial regulations;

(d)the area of forest for which the association proposes to undertake conservation and management;

(e)the association's proposals concerning—

(i)use of forest resources;

(ii)methods of conservation of biodiversity;

(iii)methods of monitoring and protecting wildlife and plant populations and enforcing such protection; and

(f)such other information as the Chief Conservator of Forests may require.

(4)Where the Service grants permission in accordance with this section, it may impose such conditions as it may deem fit including the development of a forest management plan in accordance with this Act.

(5)The Service shall maintain an up to date record of all associations that have been granted permissions in accordance with this section.

49. Obligations of a forest association

(1)Where a community forest association has been granted permission to participate in the management or conservation of a forest in accordance with the provisions of his Act, that association shall—

(a)protect, conserve and manage the forest or part of the forest in accordance with an approved management agreement entered into with the Service and the provisions of the management plan for the forest;

(b)formulate and implement sustainable forest programmes that shall be consistent with the traditional forest user rights of the relevant forest community;

(c)protect sacred groves and protected trees;

(d)assist the Service or any other relevant authority in enforcing the provisions of this Act including in relation to illegal harvesting of forest products;

(e)with the approval of the Service enter into partnerships with other persons for the purposes of ensuring the efficient and sustainable conservation and management of the forest;

(f)inform the Service of any developments, changes and occurrences within the forest which are critical for the conservation of biodiversity;

(g)help in firefighting; and

(h)do any other act that is necessary for the efficient conservation and management of the forest.

(2)The management agreement between the Service and the community forest association shall confer on the association all or any of the following forest user rights—

(a)collection of medicinal herbs;

(b)harvesting of honey;

(c)harvesting of timber or fuel wood;

(d)grass harvesting and grazing;

(e)collection of forest produce for community based industries;

(f)ecotourism and recreational activities;

(g)scientific and education activities;

(h)plantation establishment through non-resident cultivation;

(i)contracts to assist in carrying out specified forestry operations;

(j)development of community wood and non-wood forest based industries; and

(k)other benefits which may from time to time be agreed upon between an association and the Service.

(3)Subject to sub section (1)—

(a)none of the activities specified in this section shall be carried out so as to conflict with the conservation of biodiversity; and

(b)the Chief Conservator of Forests may, in consultation with the association, prescribe rules for the conduct of the activities specified in this section.

50. Assignment of forest user rights

(1)A community forest association that has been granted permission to participate in the management or conservation of a forest association may, with the approval of the Chief Conservator of Forests, assign any or all its rights under a management agreement to a suitably qualified agent on mutually agreed terms.

(2)The Chief Conservator of Forests shall not approve any assignment under this section that is inconsistent with the main objectives and purposes set out in the management agreement between the Service and the community forest association.

(3)The community forest association shall be responsible for the acts of the agent that contravene the provisions of this Act or the terms and conditions of the management agreement between the association and the Service.[Act No. 18 of 2018, Sch.]

51. Termination or variation of a management agreement

(1)The Chief Conservator of Forests may terminate a management agreement with a community forest association that has been granted permission to participate in the management or conservation of a forest or withdraw a particular user right where—

(a)the association breaches the terms and conditions thereof;

(b)it is necessary for the purpose of protecting or conserving biodiversity; or

(c)the association asks the Chief Conservator of Forests to terminate the agreement or withdraw the user right.

(2)Where the Chief Conservator of Forests intends to terminate a management agreement or withdraw a particular user right the Chief Conservator of Forests shall notify the association at least thirty days before the management agreement is terminated or the user rights withdrawn.

(3)The Chief Conservator of Forests shall give the association an opportunity to challenge the decision to terminate the management agreement or withdraw the user right ad where the association is aggrieved by the decision of the Chief Conservator of Forests the association may appeal against the decision to the Board within thirty days of being notified of the decision of the Chief Conservator of Forests.

(4)Nothing in this section shall be construed to limit the grounds on which, in accordance with the terms of a management agreement, the agreement or any user right may be terminated.

52. Customary rights

Nothing in this Act shall be deemed to prevent any member of a forest community from using, subject to such conditions as may be prescribed by this Act or any other written law, such forest produce as it has been the custom of that community to take from such forest otherwise than for the purpose of sale.

Part VI – INCENTIVES FOR INCREASING FOREST AND TREE COVER

53. Incentives and benefit sharing

Subject to Article 66 of the Constitution, investors in forests shall share the benefits of their investment with local communities by applying various options including but not limited to infrastructure, education, employment and social amenities and in accordance with rules made under this act or other relevant laws.

53A. Framework for the Payment for Ecosystem Services Schemes

(1)The Institute shall, in consultation with relevant stakeholders, establish a framework for the Payment for Ecosystem Services Schemes in public, community and private forests.

(2)The Service and the Institute shall every five years jointly undertake total economic valuation of forest ecosystem goods and services and submit the report to the Cabinet Secretary.

(3)The Service shall coordinate the implementation of the Payment for Ecosystem Services Schemes including the terms and conditions in standardized contracts, agreements and operational manuals.

(4)The Institute shall develop operational guidelines to determine incentives for the ecosystem services.

(5)The Cabinet Secretary in consultation with the National Treasury shall mainstream incentive mechanisms for Payment for Ecosystem Services Schemes.

(Act No. 15/2026, s. 13.)

54. Tax and fiscal incentives

(1)The Cabinet Secretary for the National Treasury, may on the recommendation by the Cabinet Secretary, propose tax and other fiscal incentives to increase investments in forest land use and forest resource utilization in order to promote forest conservation and management, and to prevent or abate forest degradation.

(2)Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (1), the tax and fiscal incentives, may include—

(a)customs and excise waiver in respect of imported capital goods or tax rebates to forest industries and other establishments investing in plants, equipment and machinery for improved resource utilization and for using other energy resources as substitutes for hydrocarbons;

(b)exemption from payment of all or part of the land rates and such other charges as may be levied in respect of the land on which a private forest is established; and

(c)income and other tax deductions to landowners in exchange for the establishment of a forest conservation easement.

55. National tree planting week

The Cabinet Secretary shall plan and execute programmes necessary for observing tree growing initiatives and other international forest events.(Act No. 15/2026, s. 14.)

Part VII – LICENSING AND TRADE IN FOREST PRODUCTS

56. Authorization and private sector involvement

(1)The Service may, whenever circumstances make it necessary or appropriate to do so, invite the public or private sector to participate in the sustainable management of forests under their jurisdiction.

(2)The Service may issue authorisations for forestry activities in form of—

(a)a permit;

(b)a timber licence;

(c)a special use licence;

(d)a contract;

(da)easement for public roads and other public installations;

(db)wayleaves for public utilities.

the provisions of subsection (2)(da) and (db) shall not apply to private forests.

(e)a joint management agreement; or

(f)a concession agreement.

(3)No authorization shall be issued in respect of a forest for which there is a pre-existing authorization, except on terms mutually agreed upon by all the parties involved.(Act No. 15/2026, s. 15.)

57. Eligibility for authorization

(1)A person shall not be eligible to apply for an authorisation under section 56 unless that person—

(a)possesses the capacity to enter into binding agreements with the Service;

(b)has the technical and financial capacity to undertake the forestry activities for which the authorisation is sought; and

(c)in the case of a foreign investor, has complied with all the laws for the time being in force relating to investment by foreigners.

(2)In the case of a timber licence, special use licence, contract, joint management agreement or concession—

(a)capacity under subsection (1)(a) includes competence to enter into contracts;

(b)technical capacity under subsection (1)(b) includes the competence to undertake forestry activities, as demonstrated by employment of technical staff, access to equipment, satisfactory past performance and a record of statutory and regulatory compliance; and

(c)financial capacity under subsection (1)(b) includes solvency and ability to conform to good business practices as demonstrated by the applicant's financial statements for the past three years, where applicable, and tax compliance certificates.

(3)When issuing authorizations under this Act, the Service shall comply with the relevant public procurement and asset disposal laws, and any other relevant written law.

58. Chain-of-custody

(1)The Cabinet Secretary shall publish in the Gazette a chain-of-custody system for the verification of the origin of forest products from public, community and private forests and the compliance of license holders in accordance with this Act.

(2)The Service shall upon request support the process of establishing and maintaining the chain of custody for a county government.

(3)A person in possession of or trading in forest products shall comply with the requirements of the chain-of-custody system established under this section.

(4)A person who contravenes the provisions of this section commits an offence and shall be liable, upon conviction, to a fine not exceeding five hundred thousand shillings or imprisonment of a term not exceeding one year or to both.(Act No. 15/2026, s. 16.)

59. Grading and valuation of timber and other forest products

(1)The Cabinet Secretary in consultation with the relevant stakeholders shall prescribe Regulations for the grading and valuation of timber and other forest products.

(2)Any person authorized by the Cabinet Secretary to operate as a timber grader or valuer immediately before the commencement of this Act shall continue operating as a timber grader or valuer and shall be deemed to have been authorized by the Secretary of Forest Regulation upon commencement of this Act(Act No. 15/2026, s. 17.)

60. Export and import procedure

(1)No person shall import, export, re-export or introduce any forest products into or from Kenya without a permit issued by the Service under this Act.

(2)To give effect to this provisions, the Cabinet Secretary shall by notice in the Gazette, publish rules regulating the export and import of forest products.

61. Prohibition on trade in restricted forest produce

(1)The Cabinet Secretary may declare by Notice in the Gazette any forest produce that may not be exported or imported.

(2)A person who exports or imports a forest product prohibited for export or import under subsection (1) commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding five million shillings or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three years or, to both.

(Act No. 15/2026, s. 18.)

Part VIII – ENFORCEMENT AND COMPLIANCE

62. Powers of officers

(1)The Chief Conservator of Forests or any authorized officer of the Service may—

(a)demand from any person the production of an authority or licence for any act done or committed by that person in a national, county or provisional forest, or in relation to any forest produce for which a licence required under this Act or under any rules made thereunder;

(b)require any person found within a national, county or provisional forest who has in his possession any forest produce suspected to have come from such forests, to give an account of the manner in which he became possessed thereof, and, where the account given is not satisfactory, arrest and take such person before a court of competent jurisdiction;

(c)search any person suspected of having committed an offence under this Act or of being in possession of any forest produce in respect of which an offence has been committed, and arrest the person, seize and detain any baggage, package, parcel, conveyance, tent, hut or building under the control of that person or his agent or servant:Provided that no person shall be arrested under this section unless the officer has reasonable cause to believe that that person may fail to appear to answer a summons, or unless that person refuses to give his name and address or gives a name and address which there is reasonable cause to believe is false;

(d)search any vehicle or vessel and seize and detain any forest produce in respect of which there is reason to believe that an offence has been committed, together with any tools, equipment, vessels, vehicles or livestock used in the commission of the offence:Provided that the officer seizing such property shall forthwith report the seizure to the court of competent jurisdiction having jurisdiction over the area where the offence takes place;

(e)seize and detain any livestock found in a national, county or provisional forest without any person in charge of them;

(f)confiscate any equipment or receptacle placed without authority in a national, county or provisional forest.

(2)The Chief Conservator of Forests or any authorized officer of the Service may—

(a)enter any private forest registered under section 33(1) in order to assess the condition thereof or to perform any such other act which he considers necessary in the circumstances; or

(b)enter the premises of any forest-based industry or forest produce dealer to inspect any forest produce placed or found within the premises to satisfy himself that the industry or dealer is abiding by the provisions of a licence issued under this Act:

Provided that during such inspection due regard shall be given to the rights of the proprietor.

(c)take all reasonable steps to prevent the commission of an offence under this Act; and

(d)where qualified to do so, administer oaths and take sworn testimony for the purposes of an investigation conducted under this Act.

(3)In enforcing this section, any officer of the Service who is of or above the rank of Sergeant Forest Ranger shall have the same powers conferred on a police officer under the Criminal Procedure Code (Cap. 75) and the National Police Service Act (Cap. 84).

63. Use of firearms

(1)The Cabinet Secretary responsible for matters relating to firearms may, through the Inspector-General of Police, make available to the Service such firearms as may be necessary for the Service to carry out its functions under this Act.

(2)Any uniformed and disciplined officer of the Service, after acquiring the requisite paramilitary and skill at arms training, and when authorised by the Chief Conservator of Forests, may use a lawfully issued firearm—

(a)in the course of the enforcement of the provisions of this Act against—

(i)any person charged with an offence punishable under this Act, when that person is escaping or attempting to escape from lawful custody;

(ii)any person who, by force, removes or attempts to remove any other person from lawful custody;

(iii)any person who, by force, attempts to prevent the lawful arrest of himself or any other person; or

(iv)any person unlawfully hunting any animal within a forest area or nature reserve.

(b)for the protection of people and property against any animal causing destruction to human life or property or crops; and

(c)in the course of animal population control.

(3)Notwithstanding the foregoing, an officer of the Service shall not use a firearm—

(a)under subsection (2)(a)(i), unless the officer has reasonable grounds to believe that he or she cannot otherwise prevent the escape, and unless he or she has given ample warning to such person that he or she is about to use a firearm against that person, and the warning is unheeded;

(b)under subsection (2)(a)(ii) or (iii) of, unless the officer concerned believes on reasonable grounds that the officer or any other person is in danger of grievous bodily harm, or that the officer cannot otherwise prevent the removal, or, as the case may be, effect the arrest.

63A. Applicant of public of prosecutors

The Director of Public Prosecutions may, pursuant to the Criminal Procedure Code (Cap. 75), by notice in the Gazette, appoint a forest officer to be a public prosecutor for the purposes of this Act.[Act No. 18 of 2018, Sch.]

Part IX – OFFENCES AND PENALTIES

64. Prohibited activities in forests

(1)Except under a licence or permit or a management agreement issued or entered into under this Act, no person shall, in a public or provisional forest—

(a)fell, cut, take, burn, injure or remove any forest produce;

(b)be or remain therein between the hours of 7 p.m. and 6 a.m. unless using a recognised road or footpath, or is taking part in cultural, scientific or recreational activities;

(c)erect any building or livestock enclosure, except where the same is allowed for a prescribed fee;

(d)smoke, where smoking is by notice prohibited, or kindle, carry or throw down any fire, match or other lighted material;

(e)de-pasture or allow any livestock to be therein;

(f)clear, cultivate or break up land for cultivation or for any other purpose;

(g)enter any part thereof which may be closed to any person;

(h)collect any honey or beeswax, or hang on any tree or elsewhere any honey barrel or other receptacle for the purpose of collecting any honey or beeswax, or enter therein for the purpose of collecting honey and beeswax, or be therein with any equipment designed for the purpose of collecting honey or beeswax;

(i)construct any road or path;

(j)set fire to, or assist any person to set fire to, any grass or undergrowth or any forest produce;

(k)possess, bring or introduce any chain saw or logging tools or equipment;

(l)damage, alter, shift, remove or interfere in any way whatsoever with any beacon, boundary mark, fence notice or notice board.

(2)Any person who contravenes the provisions of subsection (1) of this section commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding one million shillings or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding twelve months, or to both.

(3)Any person who contravenes the provisions of section 60 shall be guilty of an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding one million or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three years, or to both such fine and imprisonment.

(4)Any person who contravenes the provisions of section 59 shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable upon conviction to a fine not exceeding five million shillings or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three years, or to both such fine and imprisonment.(Act No. 18 of 2018, Sch, Act No. 15/2026, s. 19.)

65. Counterfeiting or unlawfully affixing marks

Any person who, without lawful authority—

(a)marks any forest produce, or affixes upon any forest produce, a mark ordinarily used by a forest officer to indicate that the forest produce is the property of the Service or the County Department responsible for forestry, or that it may or has been lawfully cut or removed;

(b)alters, obliterates, removes or defaces any stamp, mark, sign, licence, permit or other document lawfully issued under the authority of this Act, or removes or destroys any part or a tree bearing the stamp or other mark used by any forest officer;

(c)covers any tree stump in any national or county forest with brushwood or earth, or by any other means whatsoever conceals, destroys, or removes or attempts to conceal, destroy or remove such tree stump or any part thereof;

(d)wears any uniform or part of a uniform, or any badge or other mark issued by the Service to be worn by forest officers or other employees of the Service, or who in any other way holds himself out to be an employee of the Service; or

(e)counterfeits or issues without lawful authority any licence or other document purporting it to be a licence or document issued under this Act or any rules made thereunder,

commits an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding five hundred thousand shillings or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three years, or to both such fine and imprisonment.

66. Offences in relation to quarrying

Any person who contravenes the provisions of this Act in relation to activities in forest areas relating to quarrying or re-vegetation commits an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding one million shillings or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years or to both such fine and imprisonment.

67. Other offences

(1)Any person who—

(a)commits a breach of, or fails to comply with the provisions of this Act;

(b)commits a breach of, or fails to comply with any of the terms or conditions of a licence issued to him or her under this Act;

(c)fails to comply with a lawful requirement or demand made or given by a forest officer;

(d)obstructs a person in the execution of his or her powers or duties under this Act;

(e)makes or is found in possession of charcoal in a public, provisional forest or in community forest, private forest or farmlands without a licence or permit of the owner as the case may be:

commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding fifty thousand shillings or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months, or to both such fine and imprisonment.

(2)Any person who wilfully or maliciously sets fire to any public, provisional, community or private forest commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding two million or a jail term to not exceeding three years, or to both or to imprisonment for a term not less than one year, or to both such fine and imprisonment.

(3)Any person who operates a sawmill in a manner contrary to that prescribed in rules made under this Act commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding one million shillings or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three years, or to both such fine and imprisonment.

(4)Save under a licence or permit or a management agreement issued or entered into under this Act, no person shall, in a forest capture or kill any animal, set or be in possession of any trap, snare, gin or net, or dig any pit, for the purpose of catching any animal, or use or be in possession of any poison or poisoned weapon:Provided that nothing in this sub paragraph shall be deemed to prohibit the capturing or killing of an animal in accordance with the conditions of a valid license or permit issued under the Wildlife Conservation and Management Act (Cap. 376).

(5)Any livestock found in any forest shall, unless the owner thereof proves to the contrary, be deemed to be there under the authority of the owner as well as the person, if any, actually in charge of the livestock.

(6)The livestock detained under this section shall be auctioned at the expiry of seven days if the owner does not reclaim it, and the proceeds of such auction shall be paid to the Service.

(7)Neither the Service nor the County Government or any of their officers shall be liable for the injury, loss or death of any livestock so seized and detained under section 64(1)(e).

(8)Any person who, in any forest area—

(a)introduces any exotic genetic material or invasive plants without authority from the forest manager;

(b)dumps any solid, liquid, toxic or other wastes in a forest without authority of the forest manager;

(c)grows any plant from which narcotic drugs can be extracted; or

(d)extracts, removes, or causes to be removed, any tree, shrub or part thereof for export;

commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding three million shillings or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding ten years, or to both such fine and imprisonment.

(9)In addition to the penalty prescribed under subsection (8), the court shall order the person to remove the exotic genetic material or invasive plants, solid, toxic or any other wastes from the forest, at that person's cost.(Act No. 15/2026, s. 20.)

68. Compensation for loss or damage

(1)Where a person is convicted of an offence of damaging, injuring or removing forest produce from any forest, the forest produce shall be forfeited to the owner. The court may in addition to any other ruling order—

(a)that such person pay to the forest owner, by way of compensation, a sum equal to the determined value of the forest produce so damaged, injured or removed and where the value cannot be estimated, ten thousand shillings for each offence;

(b)if it is proved to the satisfaction of the court that the person so convicted is the agent or employee of another person, that other person to pay by way of compensation to the forest owner, the value of the forest produce, unless after hearing that other person, the court is satisfied that the offence was not due to his negligence or default;

(c)the vessels, vehicles, tools or implements used in the commission of the offence be forfeited to the Service:

Provided that the value of the forest produce shall be either the commercial value of the forest produce or the cost of restoring the damage caused to the forest as a result of the offence committed, whichever is higher.

(2)Where a person is convicted of an offence of occupying or cultivating land in a forest area without a licence, the court may, in addition to any other penalty imposed under this Act, order such person to remove any buildings, enclosures, huts or crops within a period to be specified in the order, and if the person so convicted fails to comply with an order within the period so specified, the buildings, enclosures, huts or crops shall be deemed to be the property of the Service, the County Department responsible for forestry or the private forest owner, as the case may be, and may be disposed of as the Service, County Department responsible for forestry or the private forest owner may think fit:Provided, however, that expenses incurred as a result of keeping in custody anything seized or detained under this section shall be borne by the person whose property is seized or detained.

69. General penalty

Any person found guilty of an offence against the provisions of this Act for which no specific penalty is provided shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding ten thousand shillings or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three months, or to both such fine and imprisonment.

70. Disputes

(1)Any dispute that may arise in respect of forest conservation, management, utilization or conservation shall in the first instance be referred to the lowest possible structure under the devolved system of government as set out in the County Governments Act (Cap. 265).

(2)any matter that may remain un-resolved in the manner prescribed above, shall be referred to the National Environment Tribunal for determination, pursuant to which an appeal subsequent thereto shall, where applicable, lie in the Environment and Land Court as established under the Environment and Land Court Act (Cap. 8D).

Part X – MISCELLANEOUS

71. Regulations

(1)The Cabinet Secretary shall make regulations necessary for the carrying out or giving effect to this Act.

(2)Without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, Regulations may be made under this section for—

(a)formulating guidelines on incentives and benefit sharing;

(b)specifying the conditions subject to which any licence, permit or authorization may be granted or issued under this Act;

(c)regulating activities in public forests, provisional forests, nature reserve and visitor indemnity;

(d)prescribing measures that enhance community participation in the conservation and management of forests;

(e)providing for protection of endangered and threatened tree species;

(f)prescribing measures and mechanisms for participatory forest management agreements with other stakeholders and lead agencies;

(g)prescribing the manner of representation of communities and other stakeholders to the Board and forest conservation committees;

(h)controlling the harvesting, collection, sale of and disposal of forest produce including timber grading and marking;

(i)prescribing the amount of royalties or fees payable under this Act generally or in particular cases;

(j)regulating the use and occupation of national and county forests for the purposes of residence, cultivation, and grazing;

(k)providing guidelines for eco-tourism including recreation, camping, picnicking and cultural activities;

(l)providing guidelines for management planning process;

(m)providing the circumstances in which licences, permits, leases, concessions and other agreements may be applied for, granted, varied or cancelled, and the manner in which a person to whom a licence is granted may exercise a right or privilege conferred upon him/her by the licence;

(n)regulating the felling, working and removal of forest produce in areas where trees may be felled or removed;

(o)providing for compulsory use of property marks by the Service, the County Department responsible for forestry and owners of private forests for the purpose of identifying wood sold from national, county, community, provisional and private forests;

(p)prescribing conditions under which mismanaged or neglected forests may be declared provisional forests and conditions for reverting them to the original owners;

(q)providing for the creation of new forest areas including establishment of commercial forests;

(r)regulating production, transportation and marketing of charcoal;

(s)ensuring compliance with international obligations;

(t)regulating engagement and operationalization of the payment for environmental services scheme.

(u)management forest carbon, including the Reduced Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation nesting;

(v)nursery certification, seed and seedling standards;

(w)forest data, research, and information management systems;

(x)the framework for awarding an inventor or innovator by the Institute;

(y)agroforestry and farm forestry systems; and

(z)buffer zones and boundary tree planting.

(3)Regulations made under this section may require acts to be performed or done to the satisfaction of the Service, and may empower the Board to issue orders imposing conditions and dates upon, within or before which such acts or things shall be performed or done.

(4)Upon the recommendation of the relevant county government and in consultation with the Board, the Cabinet Secretary may make Regulations in respect of any community forests in the County.

(5)For the purpose of Article 94(6) of the Constitution—

(a)the purpose and objective of the delegation under this section is to enable the Cabinet Secretary to make regulations to provide for the better carrying into effect the provisions of this Act;

(b)the authority of the Cabinet Secretary to make regulations under this Act will be limited to bringing into effect the provisions of this Act and fulfillment of the objectives specified under this section;

the principles and standards applicable to the regulations made under this section are those set out in the Interpretation and General Provisions Act (Cap. 2) and the Statutory Instruments Act (Cap. 2A).(Act No. 15/2026, s. 21.)

72. Maintenance of registers

(1)The Chief Conservator of Forests shall maintain registers of forest management and conservation activities which shall include but not limited to the following—

(a)licences issued under this Act;

(b)public forests;

(c)community forests;

(d)private forests;

(e)forest management agreements and concessions; and

(f)forest management plans.

(2)Any register maintained under this section shall be open for inspection by the members of the public at the office of the Chief Conservator of Forests.

(3)The Chief Conservator of Forests shall, on a quarterly basis, submit to the Secretary of Forest Regulation copies of the registers of forest management and conservation activities specified in subsection (1),(Act No. 15/2026, s. 22.)

73. International instruments, conventions and agreements

(1)The provisions of this Act shall be carried out in accordance with any treaties, conventions or international agreements concerning forests or forest resources as provided for under the Constitution.

(2)The Cabinet Secretary may make regulations and give direction to ensure compliance with international instruments, conventions and agreements ratified by Kenya.[Act No. 18 of 2018, Sch.]

74. Co-operation regarding cross-border forest resources

The Chief Conservator of Forests may, with the approval of the Board, develop management plans for purposes of sustainable management of cross-border forest resources.[Act No. 18 of 2018, Sch.]

75. Cap. 387 to apply

(1)Where a provision of this Act requires a person to conserve or protect the environment, the relevant provisions of the Environmental Management and Co-ordination Act (Cap. 387), shall also apply with respect to the manner in which the conservation or protection shall proceed.

(2)No user rights or other licence or permit granted under this Act shall exempt a person from complying with the relevant provisions of the Environmental Management and Co-ordination Act (Cap. 387), or any other written law concerning the conservation and protection of the environment.

(3)A user or other related right shall not be granted under this Act where the requirement for a strategic environmental, cultural, economic and social impact assessment licence under the Environmental Management and Co-ordination Act (Cap. 387), has not been complied with.

75A. Discoveries, investments, etc. to vest in the Institute

(1)All rights in any discoveries, inventions, innovation, improvements and intellectual property rights in respect of processes, products, apparatus and machines made for or on behalf of the Institute shall vest in the Institute.

(2)Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (1), the Institute and any other entity shall jointly own any discoveries, inventions, innovation, improvements and intellectual property rights pursuant to a funding agreement between the Institute and any other entity.

(Act No. 15/2027, s. 23.)

75B. Fees and other charges for services of facilities offered by the Institute

The Cabinet Secretary shall, in consultation with the Board of the Institute, prescribe the fees and other charges payable for any service or facility offered by the Institute.