The Kenya Forest Service (KFS), with support from the I&M Foundation, has begun the construction of a 14.2-kilometre electric fence around the Sanctuary Block of Ngong Road Forest.
This transformative project, slated for completion by April 2025, aims to enhance forest protection and conservation.
“The construction of this electric fence will play a critical role in safeguarding the biodiversity of the Sanctuary Block and further consolidating our conservation efforts,” read a KFS statement.
“This intervention will help protect fragile ecosystems, promote natural regeneration, and ensure that communities and visitors can access the forest in a controlled and sustainable manner.”
Ngong Road Forest, gazetted in 1932 and designated a Central Government Forest Reserve in 1964, spans 1,224.4 hectares.
The Sanctuary Block, the largest of the five administrative units of the forest, covers 695.3 hectares and consists of shrubs, grasslands, and scattered eucalyptus plantations.
As part of the management plan, KFS will create a six-meter-wide path along the 14.2-kilometer perimeter to facilitate effective fence management.
“The path will ensure smooth operations for the upkeep of the fence and enable easy movement around the Sanctuary Block,” the statement noted.
This initiative is a key component of KFS’s broader strategy for forest management.
The forest is managed in partnership with the Community Forest Association (CFA), and together, they have developed a Participatory Forest Management Plan, which prioritizes fencing as an essential measure for enhancing conservation and security.
“Fencing has proven to be an effective tool for forest management,” said KFS. “It not only provides better protection for the forest but also improves the micro-climate and supports sustainable access to resources for local communities.”
In addition to the electric fence, the I&M Foundation has committed to constructing ranger housing, a ranger outpost, and washroom facilities within the Sanctuary Block.
The Foundation will also rehabilitate 40 hectares of the Sanctuary Block, contributing to the restoration of the forest’s ecosystem.
This project aligns with Kenya’s national goals for forest conservation. The Constitution of Kenya 2010, Kenya Vision 2030, and the National Forest Programme all mandate that forest cover should account for at least 10 per cent of the country’s land area.
However, current forest cover stands at only 8.3 per cent, below the constitutional threshold.
In response, the Kenyan government has set a new target of achieving 30 per cent tree cover by 2032. KFS is leading efforts to develop, conserve, and manage the country’s forest resources.
“This project is a crucial step toward meeting our national forest conservation targets and ensuring that Ngong Road Forest continues to thrive for generations to come,” KFS concluded.
