President William Ruto on Wednesday ordered the immediate dismissal of forest managers and 23 rangers.
The Head of State said the aforementioned have been involved in corruption.
"I have instructed the Kenya Forest Service board that all those engaged in corruption be fired and be taken to court. We have already found 23 forest managers and rangers," Ruto said
"Those who have led to the destruction of forests be removed from the government. From tomorrow I do not want them to be in government payroll. These are people who are saboteurs."
Ruto also directed that the officials be taken to court over their illegal dealings.
The 23 forest officers and rangers are under investigation by the DCI over complicity in forest destruction, corruption, dereliction of duty and incompetence.
Details from Ruto's team say once the probe is completed, they will be prosecuted and, upon conviction, removed from the Kenya Forest Service and government payroll.
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) was also instructed to fasten its investigations on the 23 and other officers accused of corrupt dealings at the agency.
The Head of State was speaking during the pass-out of KFS graduates in Gilgil, Nakuru county on Wednesday.
President Ruto had expressed his fears that he had been notified that a number of officers had entered into corrupt dealings that had seen many forests destroyed.
As a result, he tasked Cabinet Secretary for Environment CS Soipan Tuya to conduct a thorough cleanup at the ministry.
The President told Tuya to carry out reforms in the agency which he noted were key to the implementation of climate change programmes.
"There must be a thorough cleanup in Kenya Forest Service," he said.
Ruto vowed to take all necessary steps to protect Kenya's environment and ensure that good officers have an opportunity to serve our country with integrity.
