The Kenya Forest Service (KFS) has embarked on sweeping reforms aimed at addressing longstanding concerns over ethnic imbalance, gender representation, and inclusion of persons living with disabilities (PLWDs), Parliament has been told.
Appearing before the National Assembly Committee on Cohesion and Equal Opportunities at Bunge Tower, Parliament Buildings on Thursday, Chief Conservator of Forests Alex Lemarkoko said the agency is now implementing revised human resource policies approved by the Public Service Commission last December.
“The revised human resource policies were approved by the Public Service Commission last December and we are now implementing reforms to ensure compliance with the law on ethnic balance,” Lemarkoko said.
He acknowledged that ethnic imbalance within the institution has been a persistent historical challenge, noting that earlier frameworks had limited progress in achieving equitable representation across Kenya’s communities.
According to Lemarkoko, the new policy direction is intended to accelerate compliance with constitutional requirements on diversity and inclusion while modernising recruitment and promotion systems within the service.
He told the committee, chaired by Mandera West MP Adan Yussuf Haji, that internal reforms introduced over the past two years were already laying the groundwork for a more representative workforce.
“We are committed to ensuring that the organisation reflects the face of Kenya. The changes we have initiated are designed to correct historical imbalances and improve fairness in recruitment and career progression,” he said.
Members of the committee raised concerns over continued disparities in ethnic representation, gender parity, and the participation of PLWDs in the service.
Lawmakers pressed KFS to provide clear timelines for achieving compliance, warning that constitutional obligations on inclusivity must be fully implemented across all state agencies.
On the issue of disability inclusion, Lemarkoko cited structural constraints linked to the nature of recruitment and training within the service, noting that a significant proportion of recruits undergo paramilitary-style training.
“About 79 per cent of KFS recruits undergo paramilitary-type training, which presents challenges in accommodating certain categories of persons living with disabilities,” he said.
However, lawmakers challenged the justification, with Kamukunji MP Abdi Hassan urging the agency to benchmark with other disciplined services that have successfully integrated PLWDs without compromising operational effectiveness.
“Other disciplined forces have managed to adapt and include persons with disabilities. KFS should not treat this as an exception but as a requirement under the law,” Hassan said.
In response, Lemarkoko said the revised human resource framework would expand opportunities for PLWDs and ensure that future recruitment cycles are more inclusive.
He added that the service would provide periodic progress reports to the committee as implementation of the reforms continues.Lemarkoko also highlighted internal workforce reforms, disclosing that 1,600 officers have been promoted under his leadership after years of limited career progression within the organisation.
“Under my leadership KFS has promoted 1,600 officers after years of stagnation,” he said.
He further noted a shift in gender representation within training institutions, stating that women now form the majority of trainees at the KFS college, a development he said is expected to strengthen gender balance in future recruitment.
Committee chair Adan Yussuf Haji urged the agency to take a leadership role in implementing constitutional principles of equality and inclusion, noting that KFS, as one of the country’s oldest state agencies, carries a responsibility to set standards for other institutions.