Restoration of the Mau Forest Ecosystem

July 5, 2010 – Mau Joint Enforcement Unit trained in the use of GPS

Officers and rangers from Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), Kenya Forest Service (KFS), Administration Police (AP) and Narok County Council (NCC), were trained in the use of Global Positioning System (GPS) during a one-day workshop in Lake Nakuru National Park. The use of GPS will improve the efficiency of the patrolling of the Mau Forests Complex and assist further curb illegal activities. 

Since July 2008, a joint enforcement and administrative structure, called the Joint Enforcement Unit, was established based on sector formation comprising KWS, KFS, AP and NCC to contain further forest degradation in the Mau.  The Joint Enforcement Unit with a force of 192 men is coordinated by the Kenya Wildlife Service. The JEU is supported by an aircraft based in Nakuru for aerial monitoring.

Since its establishment, the JEU has succeeded in reducing illegal activities by an estimated 70%.  This is the result of the following continued interventions:

Ground monitoring

1. Day and night foot and vehicle patrols;
2. Laying of ambushes and erection of roadblocks following intelligence tip offs;

Aerial surveillance

1. Aerial reconnaissance flight above the forests twice a week to detect any illegal activities;

Improved communication

1. Establishment of a new radio network with a dedicated frequency;
2. Installation of base stations in the four sectors and provision of handheld radios to the four forces;

Enhanced intelligence support

1. Cooperation established with the District Security and Intelligence Committees;
2. Support provided by KWS intelligence branch;

Community outreach

1. Conducting of outreach activities to create awareness and garner local participation in conservation.  These activities were carried out by the Provincial Administration and by the Joint Enforcement Force;

Law enforcement

1. Destruction of impounded charcoal and kilns;
2. Destruction of makeshift shelters on newly invaded forest lands; and,
3. Arrest and prosecution of loggers.

The use of GPS will improve ground and aerial monitoring and secure better coordination between the two.  Kenya Wildlife Service provided ten GPS handhelds to the JEU.

JEU aircraft taking off to flight above the Mau