MACHAKOS, Kenya — The Kenya Forest Service (KFS) has commenced harvesting mature trees in selected government forests in Machakos County, saying the exercise is part of regulated plantation management.
KFS Chief Executive Officer Climent Ngoriareng said the Service will only cut trees that were planted over 30 years ago to pave the way for replanting.
The harvesting targets are Iveti Forest and Muumandu Forest, both classified as plantation forests.
“If the harvesting is not done, ladies and gentlemen, we are going to lose the value of these trees because remember we invested in planting and growing of these trees for commercial purposes,” Ngoriareng said during a press briefing on Tuesday.
Sustainable Harvesting, Replanting Plan
Ngoriareng said the agency is aware that Kenya’s tree cover remains below optimal levels and insisted the exercise will not degrade forest ecosystems.
“We are very much aware that our tree cover is low, and even as we are harvesting, we are careful to ensure that we are not degrading our forest, and we call on all stakeholders to ensure that more trees are planted as soon as possible,” he added.
Under forestry management policy, plantation forests are harvested in rotation cycles to maintain productivity and timber quality. Mature trees are typically sold to private sawmills, logging contractors, wood dealers, or exported.
Revenue from timber sales is deposited into the National Treasury’s consolidated fund, with some allocations supporting forest management and replanting programmes.
Policy Context
The move aligns with the government’s broader plan to revitalise the timber industry and reduce reliance on imports.
Last year, President William Ruto banned the importation of furniture from countries such as China to boost local manufacturing.
He ordered the reopening of lumbering activities in the Mau Forest Complex, targeting mature plantation trees, and directed that more wood-processing factories be established near forested areas.
“We shall reopen this timber factory here (Elburgon) because I have told my Minister of Trade, Lee Kinyanjui, that this tendency of importing furniture… seats and beds from China, must end. We will use our wood to make furniture,” Ruto said at the time.
KFS maintains that regulated harvesting of mature plantation forests will support industrial growth while enabling immediate replanting to sustain forest cover and climate resilience.
