Forest protection to come with cash rewards if new Bill is passed

Communities living next to forests could soon start earning payments for protecting natural ecosystems if a new government-backed law is passed.

The Forest Conservation and Management Bill, 2025 proposes a framework where households and groups that contribute to forest protection would receive financial incentives through a payment-for-ecosystem services scheme.

The initiative is aimed at motivating communities to actively participate in conservation efforts.

According to the Bill, the Kenya Forestry Research Institute (Kefri) will take the lead in creating the framework in consultation with other stakeholders.

“The institute shall, in collaboration with stakeholders, establish a framework for the payment for ecosystem service schemes in public, community and private forests,” the Bill states.

The proposal is part of the Ruto administration’s wider campaign to increase forest cover and strengthen conservation. The government has already spearheaded two national tree planting drives and pledged rewards for environmental stewards.

To support the scheme, the Bill directs the Kenya Forest Service and Kefri to conduct a full economic valuation of forests, factoring in benefits such as carbon storage, water regulation and soil conservation.

These assessments will guide the incentives and payments.

The law also assigns the forestry cabinet secretary, working with the National Treasury, the responsibility of mainstreaming guidelines for implementing the scheme. Landowners and forest-adjacent communities, particularly those active in Community Forest Associations, will be the main beneficiaries.

Payments would be offered in return for safeguarding water catchment areas, curbing carbon emissions and protecting general forest health.

The proposed law has surfaced at a time when concerns have been raised over irregular human activities in Karura and Ngong forests.

Beyond community incentives, the Bill seeks to strengthen the Kenya Forest Service by empowering the forestry cabinet secretary to formally designate a section of KFS staff as uniformed and disciplined officers.

“The amendment also introduces mandatory training and oath of office for designated staff,” it adds. Currently, such designations are done on the recommendation of the interior ministry.

The Bill further outlines how public forests could be used for development purposes, a matter that has lacked clear legislation. If passed, KFS would be allowed to grant easements for the construction of public roads, utility installations and wayleaves in public forests.

On penalties, the Bill raises fines for those caught exporting or importing banned forest products to Sh5 million, or a jail term of three years, or both.

Other offences such as illegal tree felling, grazing livestock in restricted areas, clearing land, putting up unauthorised structures or smoking in forests would attract fines of up to Sh1 million, up from the current Sh100,000.

Acts like starting forest fires, building irregular roads, possessing logging equipment without permits, tampering with boundary beacons or harvesting honey without a license would also draw the higher penalties.

The proposed law also outlines institutional reforms, including the establishment of the Kenya Forest Academy to train officers and the creation of the Office of the Director of Forest Regulation to oversee certification, compliance and standardisation of forest practices.