The Kenya Forest Service has successfully completed a public participation exercise aimed at discussing the proposed Electric Fence surrounding the Menengai Forest Station. Barazas were held with community members in Kipngochech and Mutukanio locations in Nakuru County.

During these engagements, the communities living near the forest were given reassurances that the solar-powered fence would not pose any harm to humans, but serve the purpose of keeping wildlife within the forests and mitigating the potential threats posed by wildlife.

Engaging the local community in the decisions such as this is a key factor in ensuring the continued protection of the country’s forests. Another example of community engagement in the protection of forests is the recent launch of a hotline service by the Ministry of Environment which the local communities near forests are to use to report illegal logging.

With the government’s endeavor to plant more than 15 Billion trees for the restoration of the country’s forests and rangelands, engaging the local communities is an important aspect to the success of this campaign.

The involvement of the adjacent communities in such public participation process provides a platform for the identification of concerns and the collaborative development of practical solutions to address any issues raised.

Local communities near forests stand to benefit the most from the restoration of forests in the country as forests provide grazing fields, firewood, raw materials for construction and other activities and more.