Kenya’s New Forest Policy and Bill Challenges, Experiences and Lessons Presented by Gideon N Gathaara Conservation Secretary Ministry of Environment, Water and National Resources During the 2014 Inter-Parliamentary Regional Hearing of Exemplary Forest Policies in Africa Nairobi, Kenya Windsor Golf Country Club 1 st -3 rd October 2014

1.0 Background Development of the first comprehensive forest legislation was the Forest Ordinance of Forest Policy in 1957, affirmed by Sessional Paper No 1 of 1968 Forest Ordinance was amended to Forests Act, Cap 385 in Legislation covered only the Protected Area System/ gazetted forest reserves. Laid more emphasis on reservation and protection of the PAS There was no provision for participatory forest management. Did not take full account for increasing tree cover and conservation of natural forests and biodiversity. Communities felt alienated from ownership and benefits accruing from the Protected Area System. Forest Act, 2005 has contributed to major reforms in the sector. Forest Policy and Bill, 2014 alingned to Constitution greatly build onto these experiences

2.0 Challenges a) Governance Inadequate understanding of regulatory mechanisms and poor measures on law enforcement. Inadequate engagement of public participation and understanding of PFM – the case of inadequate models and piloting, skills and capacity Equity in benefits sharing and lack of framework. Rights that empower communities and hold people accountable to clean environment – sustainably managed forests b) Devolution Clarity on devolved government; functions, linkages, coordination and partnerships between national and county governments. Development of joint plans and agreements between national and county governments

Challenges Cont’d c ) Research and Education Development Acquisition and application of knowledge and information for promoting productivity, health, value addition and dryland tree crops development. Inadequate investments in technology development. Weak certification: standards, criteria and indicators scheme. Development of capacity for sustainable utilization and management. Establishment of forestry curricula responsive to emerging issues. Professionalism advancement in forestry practice and standards. Inadequate capacity and mechanisms for engaging County governments in development of forestry research on community and private lands.

Challenges Cont’d d) Trade and Industry Information on supply and demand of forest products processing and value addition not readily available. Application of ban on timber and bamboo harvesting brings both positive and negative impacts. Inadequate incentives to attract investments. Partnerships arrangements between timber industry and commercial tree growers for supply and marketing. Low investments in efficient forest products processing. Domestication and application of International Standards for certification.

Challenges Cont’d e)Resource Mobilization Policy and enforcement of laws essentially a service to the nation (water, energy, environment sustainability, and resilience to agriculture production and response to CC Commitment to service provision has resulted to overdependence on public funding. Low valuation of forestry goods and services. Development and coordination of data bank and strategies on integration or mainstreaming of forest issues in multi-sector development programmes Human resources development - f) Environmental Functions of Forests Inadequate models on mechanisms on Payments for Ecosystem Services not well defined. Secure management of water catchment-landscape approach yet to be accomplishe d.

Challenges Cont’d g)Climate Change Forests and agriculture contribute to 30% GHG Emission but also contribute to carbon sequestration Untapped potential of role of forestry in transition to Green Economy as well as in mitigation and adaptation to climate change. Inadequate information and research on impacts of climate change on forest resources and biodiversity. h) Monitoring and Evaluation Lack of adequate monitoring system information on: change in types and areas of forests, demand and supply and achievement of national forestry targets.

3.0 Experiences and Lessons a) Importance of Information, Research and Analysis Policy and legislation development is based on comprehensive programmes, plans and studies that provided detailed information analysis, among them:  In 1994 Kenya Forest Master Plan led to 1 st draft Forest Policy & Bill.  Forest Policy and Bill subjected to SEA before enactment of Forest Act, Important comments generated and added value to the process  Governance Study on the Forest Sector,  Cross cutting issues study in mainstreaming gender and youth, undertaken in  National Forest Programme formulation, 2014 is ongoing.

Experiences and Lessons Cont’d b) Synergy and Harmonization with other Laws Concurrent development of NFP, Forest Policy and Bill accord necessary harmonization and synergy. NFP, simplified approach in comparison to KFMP, shall be the focus of coordinating forest sector investments by all stakeholders. Forest Act, 2005 incorporated early drafts of the constitution and harmonized with other policies and legislation - land, water, environment. Aligning Forest Policy and Bill with Constitution made easier: Governance - National values, integrity, sustainability, rights, incentives and benefits, access to information,

Experiences and Lessons Cont’d c)Expansion in Scope, High Targets and Standards Kenya’s Constitution, 2010 accords the Forest Policy and Bill expanded scope that covers all forest types in public, community and private lands. The Forest Policy and Bill take into account the importance of forests:  In soil and ground water stabilization in supporting reliable agriculture.  In protecting water catchments in Kenya.  In response to Climate Change.  As the major biodiversity sink sources and critical habitats for wildlife.

Experiences and Lessons Cont’d Key stakeholders - local committees, public, civil society private sector - are recognized in formulation and implementation of Forest Policy and Bill. Parliament control on land use change and compliance with EMCA – application of EIA has greatly enhanced conservation/protection Management of all forests based on approved management plans. Stakeholders involved in Participatory Forest Management Plans. Gazetted rules and guidelines shall provide basis for preparing and enforcing implementation of MP. Provision in the constitution on sustainable forest management, setting targets to establish a 10% forest cover of Kenya’s land and right to clean environment, raised the profile of forest agenda. Devolution: National government responsible for capacity building, national assets - FRs & developing policy for implementation by C govt. Counties to promote on farm tree development & establishment of county forests

Experiences and Lessons Cont’d d) Stakeholders Participation Public consultations provided in the Constitution, Policy and Bill empower stakeholders engagement of in forestry development. Stakeholders have taken many matters to court based on Forest Act, Lessons learnt have contributed to improved Forest Bill. Community Forest Associations & Forest Conservation Committees established e) Incentives and Benefits Sharing on Tree Cover Increase A facility established to provide financial and technical support for: community programmes, Payment for Ecosystem Services etc The bill provides a comprehensive framework for developing subsidiary legislation -- regulations and guidelines Piloting in some parts of the country is taking place with success.

4.0 Deepening Reforms Forest Act, 2005 provided framework for major reforms implemented under a new institutional framework. An independent Semi Autonomous Government Agency – KFS: Board, FCC, and support to over 300 CFAs. Forest Policy & Bill, 2014 provide framework for deepening reforms and incorporating emerging issues in the forest sector :CC, Constitution  Aligning and compliance with the constitution and V2030.  Incorporating Climate Change.  NFP development and implementation will strength coordinated investments and stakeholders participation in the forest sector.

5.0 Opportunities a)Role of the forest sector in transition to a green economy is recognized internationally; Kenya’s CCP and B, NCCRS, NCCAP, GE Strategy recognize role of Kenya Forests in transition to GE & CC. b)Climate change provides both a challenge and opportunity: CC impacts heavily on forest sector while both forestry and agriculture sectors contribute 30% of GHG emissions in Kenya. There is need for turning challenge into an opportunity by increasing tree cover for enhancing capacity for carbon sequestration. c)Carbon Finance Public financing remains a major challenge to the government. Carbon Finance and Carbon Trade offer an alternative source of financing Harmonizing Forest Bill, CCP and B, and Carbon Finance Policy and fast tracking REDD+ and SLEEK offer a great opportunity.

6.0 Recommendations and Conclusion Development of Forest Policy and Bill is a lengthy process which required patience, commitment, innovativeness, flexibility and comprehensive participation of all stakeholders. Involvement of local communities is cost-effective in conservation Building of trust and partnerships among stakeholders offer the greatest opportunity for developing high quality policy and legislation intended for greatest impact in national development and far reaching transformation of the lives of the people. Collaboration among: the executive (MEW&NR), legislature (Senate and National Assembly Committees on Natural Resources), Judiciary, civil society, private sector, development partners, and local communities has made great progress in developing the Forest Policy and Bill. Collaboration at regional and international levels – WFC and African countries in this case - will further enhance this effort.

ASNTENI SANA AND GOD BLESS YOU ALL