Kenya: The CS Ministry of Environment, Climate Change & Forestry Soipan Tuya has underscored the importance of recruiting additional rangers saying that they will help to address the staffing gaps in protecting Kenya’s forests.
Tuya was speaking at the Kenya Forestry College to the KFS rangers’ recruitment teams during an induction course in preparation for the exercise.
She said her Ministry is tasked with bringing back the integrity of the environment, and a huge task rests on the shoulders of rangers. She noted that the world is currently facing climate change challenges, and Kenya is not an exception, adding that every possible measure must be taken to restore the environment.
The CS said the recruitment will conform to the recent Presidential directive by Dr William Ruto that 30% of disciplined forces will be recruited from the National Youth Service, as well as the constitutional requirement of the one-third gender rule.
Tuya was accompanied by the Principal Secretary of the State Department of Forestry, Mr Ephantus Kimotho, KFS Chairman, Mr Job Chirchir, and the Ag. Chief Conservator of Forests Mr Alex Lemarkoko.
Mr Kimotho said the recruitment exercise is a very sensitive one, and now the ball rests on the recruitment teams to ensure the integrity of the entire process. He directed that the team must be fair to all persons.
The KFS Chairman, Mr Chirchir, said the exercise is enormous with great responsibility to the Kenyans. He cautioned that no Officer should make the mistake of receiving money from any Kenyans. He said everyone should be given a fair chance, especially the vulnerable communities who often have the least amount of money.
Mr Alex Lemarkoko, who has been guiding Recruitment and Promotions Committee, said the teams now have a noble task ahead that requires an utmost commitment to the values and ethics of the Service. He said this is the first massive recruitment since the year when the Service brought on board 1,000 rangers.
He expressed confidence that the recruitment team will deliver a respectable job. He assured the teams that all matters to ensure the exercise ran smoothly had been put in place, and all systems were ready.
