A QUARTERLY MAGAZINE OF THE KENYA FOREST SERVICE : OCTOBER - DECEMBER 2015 Cop 21 Climate Change Conference Recruiment of Forest Rangers Eastern Regime Tree Planting Launched THE FORESTER 17 :: OCTOBER - DECEMBER 2015 1 FROM THE EDITOR In this issue of the Forester Magazine, we cov- er various news, events and conferences that took place in the last three months and forecast activi- ties that will take place as the year comes to a close. There have been a number of conferences held this quarter which discussed various aspects of the forest- ry sector and sought to find sustainable, workable solutions towards environmental conservation. Key among them was the 21st Conference of Parties (COP 21) under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCC) that took place in Paris, France, in which Kenya was repre- sented by His Excellency the President, Hon. Uhuru Kenyatta. The Public Relations Society of Kenya (PRSK), sup- ported by the Global Alliance for Public Relations and Com- munication Management also held the first World Confer- ence on Public Relations in Emerging Economies (WCPREE) at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) in Nairobi during this quarter. The conference focused on crucial issues affecting emerging economies such as jobs and growth, health, sustainability and climate change. We also touch briefly on the upcoming 20th Ses- sion of the Africa Wildlife & Forestry Commission conference (AWFC) which Kenya notably agreed to host upon request by the FAO. Among the issues to be discussed there include forestry and climate change adaptation and mitigation, op- portunities and challenges in non–wood forest products, implementation of forest and wildlife policies in Africa, val- ue addition and trade in timber and non timber forest prod- ucts in Africa and enhancing sustainability and efficiency of wood fuel production and consumption among others. The Service also partnered with East African Brew- eries Limited (EABL) in an event dubbed the EABL-Karura 10km Run that took place at the Karura grounds. The event was aimed at raising Kshs. 5 million to go towards support- ing water tower and environmental conservation efforts and addressing the issue of water scarcity in different parts of the country. For these and more, I welcome you to read and en- joy your copy of the Forester Magazine. Please feel free to His Holiness Pope Francis plants a commemorative African Wild Olive tree give us your feedback regarding the Magazine and any other (Olea Africana) at State House grounds as H.E President Uhuru Kenyatta and issues touching on forestry. KFS Director Emilio Mugo (2nd from left) look on. Happy reading! Anne Kaari EDITORIAL TEAM IN THIS ISSUE EDITOR 03 - DIRECTORS FORWARD - Anne Kaari SUB EDITORS 04 - LEAD STORY - Charles Ngunjiri 06 - NEWS ROUND-UP - Leakey Sonkoyo STAFF WRITERS 13- COMMENTARY - Caroline Kahuria 14 - PICTORIALS - Susan Ndethiu 17 - FEATURES - Lydia Ogada - Michael Muratha 19 - PROJECT NEWS - Pamela Gatwiri 22 - CROSS CUTTING ISSUES - BenedettaWasonga - Royan Ndegwa 23 - STATION PROFILE - Evelyn Wambui 24 - SPORTS NEWS - Fridah Murugu 25 - FROM THE FILES CONTRIBUTORS - Alfred Gichu 26 - HUMOUR AND LEISURE - Jamleck Ndambiri 27 - ECO TOURISM - Monicah Rutto - Tito Okello 28 - KNOW YOUR TREES DESIGN - [email protected] PRINTERS DISCLAIMER - Pavens Printers 2 THE FORESTER 17 :: OCTOBER - DECEMBER 2015 WORDWORD FROMFROM THETHE DIRECTORDIRECTOR Kenya participated at the 21st Confer- ence of Parties (COP 21) that took place in Par- is France under the United Nations Frame- work Convention on Climate Change (UNFCC). The conference which saw animated delibera- tions regarding climate change and the responsibility of both developed and developing countries in addressing climate change eventually agreed to reduce global car- bon emissions to less than 2% by the year 2020. Developing countries including Kenya have suffered the consequences of ad- verse climate change even though they don’t contrib- ute much in terms of carbon emission. Kenya which was ably represented at the conference by among others His Excellency the President and the Cabinet Secretary for Environment Prof. Judi Wakhungu put forward her plans to deal with climate change which includes the Climate Change Bill currently under consideration in parlia- ment. On the local front, the Service once again re- cruited over 240 more forest rangers to boost forest protection. This is meant to increase capacity in the Emilio Mugo, Director, Kenya Forest Service management of forest areas which has been lacking due to non recruitment of rangers which had persisted for close to 10 years. The government has also contin- We as a Service are thus calling on all Kenyans to plant ued to gazette more forest areas thus necessitating the as many trees as possible and to consult our technical addition of more rangers. officers for advice on best practices during tree plant- Currently, the Service is carrying out a Nation- ing. wide tree planting campaign that is intended to utilize the enhanced rainfall currently falling in the country. Emilio Mugo While this time of the year usually marks the short rains tree planting season, this year has seen enhanced rains falling across the country thanks to the El nino rains phenomena. BE THE LUCKY WINNER!!! LETTER TO THE EDITOR KFS will be awarding one lucky winner of the ‘Star Letter’ . Dear Editor, Write to us with your comments and queries for a chance to We acknowledge receipt of a copy of the Forester Maga- win the below branded merchandise. zine Issue No. 16 July-September 2015. The report is very informative and we look forward to our continued collaboration. J.W. Mulwa, HSC For: Managing Director Ewaso Ng’iro North Development Authority @KeForestService Kenya Forest Service [email protected] www.kenyaforestservice.org THE FORESTER 17 :: OCTOBER - DECEMBER 2015 3 LEAD STORY Mike Korchinsky, CEO Wildlife Works (left) after a meeting with KFS Director Emilio Mugo (right), where they discussed collaboration in green climate financing. They are flanked by KFS Head of Climate Change Alfred Gichu (2nd right) and other Wildlife Works officials. Cop 21 Climate Change Conference By Anne Kaari purpose of the Agreement, whilst supporting developing Coun- tries through mitigation and adaptation techniques, finance, Kenya was ably represented at the 21st Conference of technology development and transfer and capacity building. All Parties (COP 21) under the United Nations Framework Conven- parties will be required to commit to a transparency framework tion on Climate Change (UNFCC) that took place in Paris, France for action and support and regularly prepare, communicate and in early December, 2015. The Kenyan delegation was led by His implement their Intended Nationally Determined Contributions Excellency the President, Hon. Uhuru Kenyatta, who aptly ar- (INDCs) towards achieving the purpose of the Agreement. ticulated Kenya’s position in the crucial talks that culminated in an agreement to reduce Carbon emissions to less than two per- cent (2%) by the year 2020 through legally binding instruments. The outcome of this conference which was largely viewed as a success was the culmination of numerous deliberations mostly pitting developed countries against developing Nations and a build up to previous conferences notably Lima Conference in 2014 and Durban Conference in 2013. The French Presidency of COP 21 was hailed internationally for crafting and delivering a compromise that brought together the highly polarized posi- tions of the Developed and Developing Nations. To understand the COP21 outcome, a reflection on the key clauses of the Paris Agreement and the decision that ad- opted it is important. Firstly, the Agreement is a new legal in- Kenyan delegates follow proceedings during a presentation by the strument but it will need to be ratified by Parties for it to come Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources and Regional Development to effect. It will only enter into force after at least 55 Parties Authorities, on Kenya’s change developments. to the Convention, accounting in total for at least an estimated THE PARIS AGREEMENT, FORESTS AND REDD+ 55 percent of the total global greenhouse gas emissions have The Paris Agreement on climate change directly and deposited their instruments of ratification or acceptance. The boldly addresses the necessary role of world’s forests in slowing Agreement is expected to come into effect from 2021. the march of rising global temperatures. The importance of for- Secondly, the Agreement states the need to limit tem- ests is emphasized throughout the agreement which mandates perature increase to 1.5 degrees centigrade above pre - indus- that all countries conserve and enhance sinks and reservoirs trial levels, to reduce risks and impacts of Climate Change. In (code words for forests and other ecosystems), that draw car- addition, all parties are expected to increase the ability to adapt bon dioxide from the atmosphere and store it. to the adverse impacts of climate change and foster climate re- The agreement includes a package of REDD+ elements silience as well as making finance flows consistent with a path- which have been debated for more than 10 years. Parties are way towards greenhouse gas emissions and climate -resilient encouraged to take action to implement and support, includ- development. ing through results-based payments and policy approaches and The Agreement further indicated that its implementation will positive incentives for activities