Kenya Forest Service is a government corporation whose main objective is to oversee and maintain forest conservation through strategies like increasing forest cover.
The corporation is an employment opportunities provider, advertising several vacancies yearly for young and experienced talents.
One of the most applied job positions at Kenya Forest Service is the forest ranger role, where KFS had advertised 2000 positions earlier this year.
The massive recruitment was a step by the current management team toward the dream realization of achieving 30% nationwide forest cover before 2032.
The forest ranger position attracts many applicants across the 47 counties because most Kenyans can meet the entry requirements.
The forest assistant role also attracts many applicants.
How Much Are Kenya Forest Rangers Paid?
Kenya forest rangers take home a decent monthly payment for their role, mainly protecting forests from exploiters and fire breakouts throughout the country.
No official information regarding forest rangers’ salaries, but unconfirmed reports place it between Ksh. 25,000 and Ksh. 90,000.
However, forest rangers do not earn the same salary due to contributing factors like experience and education qualifications.
New forest rangers earn 25,000, which increased to 35K-45K after two years.
Forest rangers who have worked at the corporation for over 15 years earn up to 130K.
The salary is reportedly inclusive of allowances.
Remember that forest ranger jobs are permanent and pensionable.
Other Forest Service Employees’ Salaries
Forest rangers form the most significant part of the KFS task force but are not the corporation’s only employees.
Other KFS employees include forest assistants 2 and 3, accountants, electrical technicians, and others.
A recent salary reviews survey carried out on public and private employees placed the average monthly salary of a KFS accountant at Ksh. 32,000 – 45,000 per month and that of an electrical technician at Ksh. 21,000 -30,0000.
KFS Recruitment Requirements
Joining KFS is not a walk in the park because you must meet a set of requirements depending on the role you have applied for.
Most Kenyans can meet this requirement, so they turn in large numbers on recruitment grounds.
The forest ranger and forest assistant roles share several entry requirements.
Below is a list of the conditions that job seekers should meet for employment consideration:
- Kenyan citizenship
- Holders of the National Identity Card
- Aged between 18 and 28 years
- Physical and mental fitness is a must
- Female height of 5.3ft and male height of 5.6ft
- Pregnant ladies are encouraged to apply
- DCI clearance certificate (certificate of good conduct)
- Forestry Diploma or certificate from a recognized institute
- Computer application familiarization
KFS Training Period
Qualified foresters and rangers undergo training to equip them with skills to deliver their roles.
The training includes rigorous paramilitary exercises, which is why physical fitness is prioritized during the recruitment process.
Medical tests are carried out before the training to discover any underlying health conditions that may escalate during the training.
The training lasts nine months and occurs in Londiani, Kericho, where the KFS College is located.
How to Apply For KFS Jobs
The KFS application process is easy, but some applicants make mistakes they realize when it’s too late.
You need to follow the KFS job application rules to the letter to avoid being disqualified.
Some KFS job applications, such as forest ranger, require interested applicants to avail themselves in selected recruitment centers nationwide.
The forest ranger recruitment exercise mostly starts at 8:00 am on the same date across all centers.
Applicants should show up with originals and copies of their IDs, education certificates, and testimonials.
Some of the forest ranger recruitment centers in the country include:
- Tononoka Grounds in Mombasa
- Kibaki Grounds in Lamu
- Nanyuki Stadium in Laikipia
- Nyayo National Stadium in Narobi
- Migori Stadium in Migori
- ASK Grounds in Nakuru
- Kericho Green Stadium in Kericho
- Kenyatta Stadium in Trans-nzoia
- Iten Grounds in Elgeyo Marakwet
- Bukhungu Stadium in Kakamega
- etc.
Other jobs like forester and forest assistant 2 and 3 are applied online and offline.
Below are the steps to follow when applying for the forester and forest assistant posts:
- Visit the KFS online recruitment portal and signup using credentials like your email or id number and a password. You will use the credentials to log in when checking the application status.
- Find the advertised posts and click on the option you qualify for.
- Click apply, fill in all the information, and upload the necessary documents. Click the submit button when done.
- Check your email messages for the application notification and print it.
- Make a copy of the application notification and do the same for documents like the ID and academic certificates.
- Send the physical documents to:
Chief Conservator of Forests, Kenya Forest Service
P.O Box 30513-00100
G.P.O Nairobi, Kenya.
Note that the online and offline applications should go hand in hand, and ignoring one means your application will not be considered.
Sometimes the KFS portal breaks down due to heavy traffic following jobs advertisement, calling for your patience as the site admins try to restore the website.
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