Kenya is equipping a new generation of forest rangers with drones, satellite technology and mobile apps as part of its strategy to combat deforestation and achieve its target of planting 15 billion trees by 2032.
President William Ruto announced the technological initiatives at a graduation ceremony for 567 forest officers in Gilgil, Nakuru County on Monday, marking a significant expansion of the country’s forest protection capabilities.
The deployment of the officers, comprising 102 inspector cadets and 465 forester trainees, comes as Kenya aims to more than double its forest cover to 30 per cent, surpassing the constitutional requirement of 15 per cent.
“Tools like the JazaMiti app engage Kenyans in tree planting, while satellite and drone technology assist the Kenya Forest Service in forest monitoring, illegal logging prevention, and fire control,” President Ruto said at the Forest Law Enforcement Academy.
The technological push is part of a broader national programme launched in 2023 to restore degraded landscapes and strengthen institutional frameworks against deforestation. The government plans to amend the Forest Conservation and Management Act (2016) to support these initiatives.
Kenya’s forest conservation strategy is closely tied to its economic objectives. The country is pursuing new revenue streams through carbon credits, enabling reinvestment in conservation efforts. The forestry sector also generates employment through timber production, herbal medicine, and honey production.
“Forests stabilise water cycles, support agriculture, preserve biodiversity, and facilitate timber production, thereby generating thousands of jobs and strengthening community resilience,” the president said.
The initiative builds on Kenya’s growing prominence in regional climate action. In 2023, the country hosted the inaugural Africa Climate Summit, establishing what President Ruto called “a bold and ambitious Pan-African agenda” for climate action.
Kenya’s environmental leadership role is already established through its hosting of the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) headquarters in Nairobi, making it a key player in international conservation efforts.
Community engagement features prominently in the strategy, with successful conservation projects already underway in the Aberdare Range and Mau Forest Complex. These initiatives demonstrate what President Ruto described as “the power of local action in driving accountability and long-term success.”
The graduation of the new officers represents the largest single deployment of forest protection personnel in recent years. Their training encompasses both traditional conservation methods and the use of modern technology for forest monitoring and protection.
“It is essential that we develop capacity, including adequate numbers of trained professionals, to overcome the threats of deforestation, illegal logging and climate change, which diminish forests and the Earth’s ability to sustain life,” President Ruto said.
“Kenya is, and aspires to remain, compelling proof that economic progress and sustainable forestry are not only feasible but also essential, complementary commitments,” President Ruto said, emphasizing the country’s commitment to pursuing conservation, climate action, and economic transformation simultaneously.
