The Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM) has entered into a partnership with Kenya Forest Service (KFS) to rehabilitate 10,000 hectares of degraded forest areas across the country.
The two organizations signed a Framework of Cooperation (FOC) on Thursday, May 5, 2022.
This latest partnership is part of efforts towards accelerating the achievement of the 10 percent national tree cover goal by 2022.
Speaking during the signing ceremony, the Chief Conservator of Forests, Julius Kamau, noted that greening Kenya is everybody’s role, saying, “we must all collaborate to sustainably restore and conserve our environment.”
“A sustainable environment is key in driving manufacturing growth,” he added.
Through this partnership, Kamau said, it shall help increase the country’s forest cover from the current 8.83 percent to about 10 percent in the next strategic cycle.
Outgoing KAM Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Ms Phyllis Wakiaga, noted that the FOC shall enable the Association to implement the Forestry Business Sustainability Action Plan, launched last year.
“The Plan seeks to shed light on interdependences of the forestry industry and other economic sectors for the country’s socio-economic development, whilst preserving our ecosystems,” Wakiaga said.
Under the FoC, KAM and KFS shall support Community Forest Associations countrywide, as well as the refurbishment of tree nurseries, seedlings production, tree growing, and other activities aimed at increasing forest cover.
The FoC is part of the Association’s #uKAMilifu initiative, under the Green World pillar, whereby it seeks to restore and replenish the environment “in our approach”.
