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Post Reply: New Bill Proposes Financial Rewards for Communities Protecting Kenya's Forests

<blockquote><div class="quotetitle">Quote from <a class="profile-link highlight-moderator" href="https://lawguide.co.ke/understanding-law/legal-forum/profile/lawyer/">Lawyer</a> on September 10, 2025, 9:09 am</div><div id="pl-7891"  class="panel-layout" ><div id="pg-7891-0"  class="panel-grid panel-no-style" ><div id="pgc-7891-0-0"  class="panel-grid-cell"  data-weight="1" ><div id="panel-7891-0-0-0" class="so-panel widget widget_sow-editor panel-first-child panel-last-child" data-index="0" data-style="{&quot;background_image_attachment&quot;:false,&quot;background_display&quot;:&quot;tile&quot;,&quot;background_image_size&quot;:&quot;full&quot;,&quot;background_image_opacity&quot;:&quot;100&quot;,&quot;border_thickness&quot;:&quot;1px&quot;}" ><div
			
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	<p dir="ltr" data-pm-slice="1 1 []">The Forest Conservation and Management Bill, 2025, has been introduced in Parliament, aiming to provide direct financial incentives to communities living near forested areas for their efforts in environmental conservation. This innovative bill seeks to compensate forest-edge communities for their critical role in preserving vital ecosystems, marking a significant step toward sustainable forest management in Kenya.</p>
<p dir="ltr">The bill introduces a payment-for-ecosystem-services model, designed to reward residents and landowners who actively participate in conservation efforts. Under this framework, communities, particularly those organized in Community Forest Associations, will receive payments for activities such as preserving water sources, reducing carbon emissions, and maintaining healthy ecosystems. These incentives aim to recognize the contributions of local communities in safeguarding forests, which provide essential services like carbon absorption, water catchment protection, and soil stability.</p>
<p dir="ltr">The Kenya Forestry Research Institute (KEFRI) will spearhead the development of the payment scheme, collaborating with stakeholders to establish a robust framework for ecosystem service payments across public, community, and private forests. KEFRI, alongside the Kenya Forest Service (KFS), will conduct a comprehensive valuation of forest resources to determine the basis for compensation. This valuation will assess critical ecological services, ensuring that payments reflect the true environmental value of community efforts.</p>
<p dir="ltr">The bill aligns with the Ruto administration's commitment to increasing tree cover nationwide. The government has already launched two nationwide tree-planting campaigns to bolster forest conservation, and this legislation builds on those efforts by offering tangible rewards to citizens who participate. Operational guidelines for the payment scheme will be developed by KEFRI and submitted to the cabinet secretary responsible for forestry, who will work with the National Treasury to integrate these rules into national policy.</p>
<p dir="ltr">The introduction of the bill comes amid growing concerns over questionable human activities in forests like Karura and Ngong, highlighting the urgent need for stronger protection measures. Beyond community incentives, the proposed law includes provisions to reorganize the Kenya Forest Service. It grants the forestry cabinet secretary authority to designate certain KFS officers as uniformed and disciplined staff, with mandatory training and an oath of office required for these roles. This designation, previously advised by the interior ministry, aims to enhance the professionalism and accountability of forest management personnel.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Additionally, the bill addresses long-standing challenges regarding forest use for development projects. If passed, it will authorize the Kenya Forest Service to issue easements within public forests for critical infrastructure, such as public roads and utility lines, providing a legal framework to balance conservation with development needs.</p>
<p dir="ltr">The Forest Conservation and Management Bill, 2025, represents a bold move toward integrating community involvement into Kenya's environmental strategy. By offering financial rewards for conservation efforts, the bill not only incentivizes sustainable practices but also empowers forest-edge communities to play a central role in protecting Kenya's natural heritage. As the bill awaits parliamentary approval, it has sparked optimism among environmentalists and local communities alike, who see it as a vital step toward a greener and more equitable future.</p>
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