Thursday, 22 May, 2025
Senator Hamida seeks answers on the status of housing facilities for Forest Rangers
Parliament BuildingsWednesday, 21st May 2025
Senator Hamida Kibwana has sought clarity from the Senate Committee on Land, Environment and Natural Resources on the deplorable housing facilities for Forest Rangers under the Kenya Forest Service (KFS).
"Forest Rangers play a vital role in protecting forests, which are essential for biodiversity, water catchment, climate regulation and the livelihoods of millions. Despite this, their welfare, especially housing, remains severely overlooked,” revealed Sen. Kibwana.
She emphasised, “Many rangers live in unsafe and unsanitary conditions without basic amenities and some are even forced to stay in makeshift shelters or tents near forest outposts. Supporting forest conservation requires investing in decent, sustainable housing for rangers, as it is both a welfare issue and a matter of national and environmental security.”
Senator Kibwana in her requests want the Committee to give the current state of housing infrastructure for forest rangers at all Kenya Forest Service stations and outposts across the country besides giving measures that the Kenya Forest Service has taken to assess, maintain, or upgrade existing housing facilities for its personnel.
The Committee is also required to establish plans by the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Forestry to invest in sustainable, safe and decent housing for forest rangers, including through public-private partnerships and indicate any projected timelines for implementing the improvements.
In addition, Sen. Kibwana is demanding full budgetary allocations and policy frameworks in place to support the long-term welfare of forest rangers, particularly in relation to their living conditions.