The Kenya Forest Service (KFS) has continued to undertake empowerment initiatives with local communities in Lamu county to conserve the natural habitat in the ongoing Multi-Agency Field Training Exercise in which various civil-military cooperation activities have been identified and are being implemented.
Through local engagements, KFS at Makowe ecosystem conservators office has through its efforts, employed workers and scouts mostly women and youth to achieve its mandate of forestry development, conservation and protection.
Mama Margaret Nyambura, one of the casual workers at the centre, said that KFS engagement had changed her life, “This project has helped us, especially women and youth, to earn a living.
Through KFS efforts, many youth groups have been employed among them, Kililana Youth group as scouts who are tasked with rehabilitation, conservation and protection of the mangrove forest in the area.
Mr. Evans Maneno Alwena, the Ecosystem Conservator in Lamu County, emphasises on the importance of the conservancy noting that the project had elevated vulnerable people in the society while conserving the environment. Through this project locals have been empowered especially the youth, who would have instead been lured into vices,” said Mr. Alwena.
Yussuf Baishe, a 22 year old youth and member of Kililana Youth Group also narrated how he was unable to proceed to the next level of education owing to lack of fees but was glad to be gainfully employed through KFS efforts. I thank KFS efforts for coming up with such initiatives because they have given us an opportunity to develop ourselves as youths.”
Lamu county is home to 60% of mangrove forest countrywide and trees are known for their medicinal value, use in the construction industry and as effective breeding grounds for fish and other marine life.
