4. TOTAL REPORTED AREA, ALL FOREST PLANTATIONS

Reference year: 1995

Source document: Kenya Forestry Master Plan development programmes 1994 and Stock assessment report 1999. The figures are estimates based on preliminary survey work carried out in selected regions in both cases of the official documents quoted.

There has been a backlog in planting programmes and excisions (official change of forest landuse of about 42,000 ha) in the last three years hence there is need to apply a reduction factor for the total area under plantations. Currently, it is estimated that only 78,000 ha of the 148,000 hectares are actually stocked under forest.

There is no available data on small-scale industrial forest plantations except for some few companies who have woodlots for use in their industrial processes to supply fuelwood.

In addition, there are over 9.7 Million hectares of land outside official public land with trees mainly owned by small-scale farmers. These trees have not been quantified for farmers do not plant them for commercial purpose but to supply local domestic consumption and other local needs. They also act as soil stabilisers on farmer’s land as well as fodder for livestock.

Country: KENYA Reference year: 1999

(a) It is assumed that plantations up to 20 years in the pulpwood districts of Keiyo, Uasin Gishu Lugari and Trans-Nzoia are all for pulpwood while those older are for saw wood.

(b) Plantations between ages 0-5 years are included in the total area of plantations though are not included in the rotation age classes.

The total area supposed to be under industrial round wood by December 1999 was 120,000 ha from the original 148,000 reported for 1995. This area has reduced drastically due to increasing pressure for farming land and excisions for public amenities like schools, hospitals etc.

Out of the 120,000 hectares supposed to be under forests only 78,000 is actually forested. The remaining area has not been planted due to increasing lack of personnel and resources and has been lagging behind since 1992.

Country: KENYA Reference year 1999

Area in 000 ha

These are the planned planting over the time period stipulated. However, due to failure to accomplish planting targets there are in addition another 40,000 hectares of backlog, which will be spread over the same period for planting in addition to targeted planting programmes.

The country’s planned plantation programme is in the ratio of 60% sawn wood and 40% pulpwood. Due to previous lack of annual workplans, there is a current target of 4000 ha for both pulpwood and sawn wood. Eucalyptus species are planted for either poles, pulpwood or fuelwood. There are no indicative figures for areas planted for the above products and are lying either on private sector large scale or private sector small-scale areas.

The country has no current Inventory thus refer to the Table below.

Country: KENYA Reference year: 1999

Species	Object	MAI (Cubic Metres)
Cupressus Lusitanica	Sawlog/veneer	20
	Pulp
Pinus Patula	-	20
Pinus radiata	-	20
Eucalyptus Spp	-	25

Area in 000 ha

There are no specific areas under plantations for environment and other purposes but farmers, individuals and private organisations plant ornamental trees on their compunds/farms for recreation and other environmental benefits but the areas cannot be quantified.

Plantations established for environmental and other purposes broadly include plantations established primarily for environmental, recreational, or other non-productive purposes.