The government will use forest resources to create job opportunities and avoid importation of timber products that can be made locally.
President William Ruto has said it is a waste of money for the country to be importing timber products such as furniture and building materials which can be made locally with readily available raw materials and expertise.
He noted that it was unfortunate that the country had many carpenters with great expertise to make beds, tables and seats yet they remained jobless while the business entities were importing furniture.
Speaking on Wednesday at the Forest Law Enforcement Academy in Nakuru during the graduation ceremony of more than 2,600 Kenya Forest Service Rangers, the President ordered the immediate stoppage of furniture imports.
Folea is hosted at the National Youth Service Para-Military Training College in Gilgil with the aim of recruiting enhanced numbers of recruits who surpass Kenya Forest Service Training College in Londiani in Kericho County.
Ruto who was accompanied by Environment Cabinet Minister Soipa Tuya and her water and Irrigation counterpart Zack Njeru promised to refine and review working terms for KFS rangers.
Others present during the graduation were Nakuru Governor Susan Kihika, Taita Taveta Governor Andrew Mwadime, chief Conservator of forests Alexander Lemarkoko and a host of MPs from within and beyond Nakuru County.
Ruto commended Community Forest Associations (CFAs) for being at the forefront in protecting forests around their neighbourhoods.
Ruto revealed that he ordered the recruitment of 2,700 forest rangers and 600 forest managers to combat climate change, stop forest destruction and achieve government's agenda of planting 15 billion trees by 2032.
He urged Kenyans of all walks and cadres to participate in tree planting because Climate Change was a real threat to humanity.
"There are more than 150 million tree seedling in different tree nurseries across the country ready for distribution and planting, people should take the challenge of planting and nurturing trees," he said.
On his part, Lemarkoko said the graduands underwent six months of rigorous Forest Law Enforcement Training which included tactical training in harsh and rough terrain similar to forest environment.
He said the training exposed the graduands to the environment they would be operating in once deployed.
