MERU, Kenya – The government plans to set up a Kenya Forest Service (KFS) monitoring and operations base in Imenti Forest. This area is part of the larger Mount Kenya Forest ecosystem. The initiative aims to strengthen forest conservation and protection using modern technology.
During the official opening of the Meru University of Science and Technology International Conference, Forestry Principal Secretary Gitonga Mugambi said the facility will act as a command center for forest surveillance.
It will use drones and light aircraft to monitor activities in the forest and improve the response to emerging threats. According to Mugambi, the proposed base will greatly enhance the government’s ability to detect and handle illegal logging, forest encroachment, wildfires, and other activities that threaten the Mount Kenya Forest ecosystem’s integrity.
“We are building a monitoring and operations base for KFS at Imenti Forest. Drones and light aircraft will help us monitor and respond to what’s happening in the forest,” he said.
In response to concerns from some stakeholders about the proposed development, Mugambi clarified that the identified site in lower Imenti Forest is mostly covered by vegetation rather than mature trees, making it suitable for the project.
He noted that the facility will take up only eight acres of land out of the 300,000 acres that make up Imenti Forest. The broader Mount Kenya Forest ecosystem covers nearly 600,000 acres.
The Principal Secretary stressed that this project is a vital investment in the long-term protection and restoration of one of Kenya’s key water sources and biodiversity hotspots. “This is the best way to restore and protect the forest.
If we don’t build the facility now, the entire Mount Kenya Forest could face bigger threats in the future,” he stated. Mugambi also assured residents, conservation groups, and environmental stakeholders that the government recognizes the ecological importance of Imenti Forest, especially as a key elephant migration corridor.
“The government knows that Imenti Forest is an elephant corridor. We will put measures in place to ensure that wildlife is not affected,” he said. The announcement came during the launch of innovations and research projects at the Meru University of Science and Technology International Conference.
This event gathered researchers, innovators, academics, policymakers, and industry stakeholders from around the world to showcase solutions for environmental, technological, and social challenges.
The proposed KFS monitoring base is expected to improve surveillance, enhance forest management, and support Kenya’s overall efforts to conserve natural resources while using technology to protect vital ecosystems for future generations.
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