Machakos: The State Department for Forestry has proposed an increase in its recurrent budget for the 2025/26 Financial Year to address a shortfall in Personal Emoluments at the Kenya Forestry Research Institute (KEFRI). The proposed budget increment aims to fully cover personnel costs for staff at the Kenya Forest Service (KFS).
According to Kenya News Agency, the Supplementary Estimates for the 2025/26 financial year were presented by Environment, Climate Change and Forestry Cabinet Secretary (CS) Dr. Deborah Barasa to the National Assembly Departmental Committee on Environment, Forestry and Mining, chaired by Mwala MP Eng. Vincent Musyoka, during a meeting held in Machakos. The proposed additional funding is intended to settle contractual obligations related to personnel emoluments and gratuity for staff within the Ministry and its agencies.
Furthermore, the initiative is expected to address existing financial gaps that have impacted the timely payment of staff-related obligations. Dr. Barasa revealed that part of the funds will also support the Government's 15 Billion Tree Growing Programme, which aims to restore degraded landscapes and increase national tree cover in alignment with Kenya's climate change commitments.
Additionally, the supplementary allocation will allow the Ministry to settle outstanding obligations resulting from court awards, which have added financial strain to the sector. 'This additional allocation will support critical programmes including the implementation of the 15 Billion Tree Growing Programme, settlement of outstanding court awards, and strengthening of oversight, monitoring and evaluation mechanisms to ensure effective delivery of forestry projects,' the CS stated.
According to Dr. Barasa, the funding will enhance oversight, monitoring, and evaluation of the various forestry and environmental projects currently being executed by the Ministry. This ensures that programmes achieve their intended outcomes while supporting sustainable forest management and ecosystem restoration efforts nationwide.
Forestry Principal Secretary (PS) Gitonga Mugambi, who accompanied the CS, highlighted the significance of timely budgetary support to sustain operations within the forestry sector. He emphasized that adequate funding for personnel emoluments is crucial for ensuring staff morale, institutional stability, and the effective delivery of forest conservation and restoration programmes across the country.
Present during the session were senior Ministry officials, including Forest Development Secretary Mr. George Tarus, Chief Conservator of Forests (CCF) Mr. Alex Lemarkoko, Kenya Forestry Research Institute (KEFRI) CEO Dr. Jane Njuguna, and Secretary Administration Mr. Patrick Meso.