• In 2018, a damning report on the state of forests and logging revealed how the forests' custodian - the Kenya Forest Service - had destroyed swathes of precious trees countrywide.
• The report said the board and management of KFS were unable to stem, and in some instances, have directly participated in systemised rampant corruption and abuse of office.
Image: GILBERT KOECH
Illegal logging especially of extraction of endangered indigenous trees remains among the top 10 corruption risks.
Kenya Forest Service Deputy Chief Conservator of Forests Monica Kalenda also identified loss of forest land, undervaluation of forest materials and mismanagement of forest plantations as corruption risks.
“Discrimination in staff promotions and transfers, placement is also a risk,” she said.
Kalenda spoke at KFS headquarters, Karura during the commemoration of international anti-corruption day.
During the event, the KFS Corruption Prevention Policy, the Code of Conduct, and the Whistle Blowing Policy were launched.
United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime Deputy regional representative of United Nations Office on Drugs and Crimes - Regional office in East Africa Sylvie Bertrand was present.
KFS manages 6.4 million acres of forests and helps counties manage another 4.2 million acres.
Image: GILBERT KOECH
Kalenda identified other risks as forest fires, mismanagement of plantation establishment and livelihood improvement scheme and misappropriation of revenue from the scheme.
Kalenda also identified loss of revenue from water and way leave easement and misuse and misallocation of forest products movement permits and misuse of KFS assets as corruption risks.
KFS currently has a staff strength of 3,900 staff spread across the 10 conservancies and 47 counties.
In executing their mandate, there are inherent corruption cases that may arise amongst staff members.
“It is for this reason that KFS recognizes the need to mainstream anti-corruption policies and programs,” she said.
In 2018, a damning report on the state of forests and logging revealed how the forests' custodian - the Kenya Forest Service - had destroyed swathes of precious trees countrywide.
The report said the board and management of KFS were unable to stem, and in some instances, have directly participated in systemised rampant corruption and abuse of office.
By so doing, the report said, the two institutions oversaw wanton destruction of forests, water towers and the environment.
"KFS has institutionalised corruption and the system is replete with deep-rooted corruptive practices, lack of accountability and unethical behaviour," the report said.
Following illegal activities in Kenya's forests, the government instituted a moratorium.
A 90-day ban on logging was initially imposed on February 24, 2018, and later extended to November 24.
It was again extended for a year to facilitate sector reforms and was expected to cease this month.
Kalenda said KFS with the help of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime has reviewed some of the policies in order to entrench anti-corruption and integrity matters at the service.
The policies reviewed in October 2021 include the KFS Corruption Prevention Policy, Whistleblowing Policy and Code of Conduct and Ethics.
Kalenda said KFS has mainstreamed anti-corruption strategies in their management systems and continue to work closely with Ethics and Anti-CorruptionCommission.
She said there is an existing Corruption Prevention Committee –Chaired by the Chief Conservator of Forests that prepares quarterly reports to EACC and ensure that the Service complies with performance contracting requirements.
Bertrand said forests have incredible ecological, economic, social and health benefits.
However, she noted, deforestation continues at an alarming rate, and wildlife and forest-related crimes are a key factor in this loss.
"Like other forms of environmental crime, wildlife and forest crimes, including illegal deforestation often occurs hand in hand with other offences such as corruption and money laundering," she said.
Bertrand said countries in Eastern and Southern Africa are affected by various degrees of wildlife and forest crime, which hinder economic and social development, affect the security and governance of countries in the region, and threaten the environment.
"Often called corruption “the elephant in the room” – or on this occasion, I should say the “Baobab in the room” - it is indeed one of the critical facilitators of wildlife and forest crime, enabling criminals to commit, conceal and avoid conviction," she said.
Bertrand said Wildlife and Forest management authorities are the first line of response to these crimes, and are not immune to corruption and must therefore take proactive action in preventing this scourge from occurring within the institutions.
UNODC partnered with KWS in 2015 to pilot the Preventing Corruption Within Wildlife Authorities initiative, a corruption risk management approach to strengthen internal systems and build integrity.
Following the partnership, strong progress has been made within the KWS.
Kenya is among 105 countries that promised to end and reverse deforestation by 2030 at the World Leaders Summit at the UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Glasgow, United Kingdom last month.
The area covered by forest in Kenya stands at 7.2 per cent and the wish of the government of Kenya is to increase this figure to 10 per cent by 2022.
Bertrand said the work in preventing corruption will not only contribute to the action of the government, but to the fulfilment of the pledge taken at the COP26 climate summit.
She said the move will also honour the work by great champions for the environment in Kenya, such as Professor Wangari Maathai.