Over 2,600 forest rangers set ahead of pass-out parade

The Kenya Forest Service 2023 Rangers cohort were on Wednesday busy preparing ahead of their pass out parade.

President William Ruto will be presiding over the event.

The pass-out parade will take place at the Forest Law Enforcement Academy at the National Youth Service Paramilitary Academy in Gilgil, Nakuru county.

The KFS chief conservator of forests Alex Lemarkoko stated that ''the 2,664 recruits have undergone six months of paramilitary training, and are now competent and ready for deployment to various duty stations.''

The last recruitment of rangers was done in 2002, where 1,000 rangers were employed.

Since many have retired, the exercise is meant to freshen the pack.

During the pass-out ceremony, rangers will demonstrate the various forest protection tactics that they have learnt during their training.

They are expected to display various skills that they have acquired during training including martial arts, silent drill, song and dance, as well as the traditional parade.

“I welcome them to the KFS family as this is the best place to work and build their careers,” Lemarkoko said.

He added that the new recruits will have an expanded mandate.