DNK International By Our Correspondent, Nairobi.
Chief Conservator of Forests Alex Lemarkoko has emerged as a key figure in Kenya’s efforts to protect public forests, restore degraded landscapes and expand the country’s tree cover as the government pursues its ambitious target of achieving 30 per cent national tree cover by 2032.
Lemarkoko, whose career in forestry spans more than three decades, was appointed Chief Conservator of Forests (CCF) at the Kenya Forest Service (KFS) in August 2023 after serving in an acting capacity from February of the same year.
His appointment, effective August 2, 2023, followed an interview conducted by the KFS Board on July 31, 2023.
He succeeded Julius Kamau, whose tenure had ended earlier that year.
Lemarkoko was born in 1967 and his interest in environmental conservation is linked to his childhood experiences in Ng’arua, Laikipia County, where he told Daily News Kenya-International that he witnessed the clearing of natural vegetation to make way for agricultural settlement.
He recalled how the destruction of trees contributed to soil erosion, the disappearance of wildlife and environmental degradation.
These experiences helped shape his commitment to forest restoration.
Lemarkoko pursued his secondary education at Kabarak High School before advancing to university, where he obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Forestry from Moi University.
He later earned a Master of Arts degree in International Studies from the University of Nairobi and undertook further professional training at the National Defence College of Kenya.
His combination of forestry expertise, international studies and national security training has informed his work in forest management, protection and administration.
He joined the former Forest Department in 1991, beginning a public service career that would take him through different regions of the country and several levels of responsibility.
He initially served as an Assistant District Forest Officer before being promoted to District Forest Officer, a position in which he worked in approximately ten counties.
Lemarkoko moved to the Kenya Forest Service headquarters, where he worked in forest protection and security before rising to become Commandant in charge of Protection and Security.
His appointment as Chief Conservator of Forests marked the culmination of years of experience in forestry operations and institutional leadership.
Beyond his administrative responsibilities, Lemarkoko has participated in local and international forestry forums and serves as a focal point for the Africa Cross-Border Timber Trade and Forest Management Forum.
He is also a full member of the Forestry Society of Kenya, reflecting his professional involvement in the forestry sector.
As head of the Kenya Forest Service, Lemarkoko is responsible for providing leadership in the conservation, protection, management and sustainable utilisation of public forest resources.
His work is closely connected to the national ambition to raise tree cover to 30 per cent by 2032 through tree growing, restoration of degraded forests, improved forest protection and partnerships with communities, government institutions and development partners.
One of the approaches he has consistently promoted is the involvement of communities living adjacent to forests.
Community Forest Associations play an important role in tree planting, forest management and sustainable utilisation of forest resources.
In January 2024, Lemarkoko called for stronger collaboration with community stakeholders, emphasising that conservation could not be achieved through government action alone.
He also highlighted the importance of taking tree-growing initiatives beyond offices and into the field.
Lemarkoko has also advocated greater use of technology in forest surveillance and management.
This includes improving monitoring, detecting forest fires early, strengthening response systems and addressing illegal activities.
Under his leadership, KFS has continued working with partners on forest fencing and restoration projects intended to protect vulnerable ecosystems, discourage encroachment and allow degraded areas to regenerate naturally.
Among the notable developments recorded during his tenure is the restoration of 68 hectares of Dundori Forest, which KFS and its partners formally handed over to the Service in October 2026.
During the restoration initiative, Lemarkoko underscored the importance of securing forest boundaries, preventing illegal activities and using technology to improve surveillance, intelligence gathering and fire detection.
The initiative demonstrated the role of partnerships in restoring degraded forest landscapes.
Another significant undertaking has been the planned fencing and regeneration of Menengai Forest in Nakuru County.
In April 2024, KFS announced plans for a 55-kilometre fence around the 6,200-hectare forest, with the project estimated to cost Sh156 million through financing associated with the African Development Bank-supported Green Zones Project.
The initiative was intended to secure forest boundaries, reduce encroachment and support natural regeneration while creating opportunities for community participation in sustainable activities.
Lemarkoko has also supported efforts to strengthen the Service’s human resources and technical capacity.
In early 2024, he welcomed additional personnel deployed to help raise seedlings, protect forests and manage plantations.
He identified staffing shortages, inadequate financing and gaps in training and professional development as longstanding challenges that had affected the sector.
His emphasis on staff development, operational efficiency and technology reflects the need to match ambitious national tree growing targets with the resources required to achieve them.
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🗓️ [Daily News Kenya-International@October 12,2026]
