10TH JUNE, 2024

PRESS STATEMENT ON GRAZING IN PUBLIC FORESTS

1. The Forest Conservation and Management Act, 2016 provides for the participation of
duly registered Community Forest Associations (CFAs) in the conservation and
management of public forests. (Section 48(2)). Participation of the people is in line
with the Constitution of Kenya’s 2010 national values and principles of governance.

2. Further, Section 49(1) (b) provides that a CFA granted permission to participate in the
management or conservation of a forest in accordance with the provisions of the Act
shall, among other obligations formulate and implement sustainable forest
programmes that shall be consistent with the traditional user rights of the respective
community
3. Grass harvesting and grazing is outlined in section 49(2)(d) a] is one of the user rights
conferred to the Community.

4. In line with Section 49(3) (b), the Chief Conservator of Forests has prescribed rules
for grazing to guide the implementation of this user right
5. The grazing guidelines have spelt out the following requirements:
i. Forest zonation and mapping will be done to identify designated forest areas
suitable for grazing as prescribed in the Participatory Management Plans with
respect to the forest station (PFMP).
ii. Grazing is prohibited in
 plantations areas less than 4 years, areas set aside for rehabilitation through
natural regeneration and areas set aside for treatment of natural
regeneration.
 Ecologically sensitive areas, including natural springs, swamps and river
sources.
iii. Each Forest station shall maintain a grazing register indicating locality, name of
grazer, national identity card number, and number of animals by type, receipt
number, and date of payment

iv. The number of animals allowed to graze in a designated grazing area will be
determined by the Forest Station Manager based on the land carrying capacity

v. All grazers must obtain a monthly grazing permit before grazing commences

vi. Implementation of grazing will be done by CFA management Committee under

the supervision of the Forest Station Manager
 vii. No animals are allowed in the forest at night, between 7.00pm and 6.00am, and
therefore no cattle enclosures or makeshift structures are allowed in the forest

viii. Any grazer who flouts the guidelines will:

i. Lose the right to graze in the forest, be prosecuted or both

ii. Lose any unclaimed animal that may have been arrested for being in the
forest illegally.

ix. The Service may withdraw the grazing user right if

1. A grazer user group breaches the terms and conditions outlined above,
OR/
2. Where the Service considers withdrawal as necessary for purposes of
protecting and conserving biodiversity

6. Henceforth, KFS will renew efforts to enforce the above guidelines to ensure official
grazing is well understood and implemented to wipe out cases of illegal grazing
which has raised concerns in the recent past.

For further information, contact:

The Chief Conservator of Forests:

director@kenyaforestservice.org, info@kenyaforestservice.org
www.kenyaforestservice.org
#JazaMiti, #TreesForBetterLives

Kenya Forest Service @KeForestService Kenya Forest Service