Do you need a permit to cut trees on your own land?
Forest Conservation and Management Act · sources read 2 Oct 2026
The forest law requires a licence or permit to cut trees in a public or provisional forest. Anywhere, your own land included, no one may fell, cut, damage, trade in or export a tree species the government has declared protected.
- Where
- Kenya Forest Service (KFS) offices
Steps
- Before cutting, check the tree is not a protected species. The Cabinet Secretary declares protected species by order in the Kenya Gazette, on KEFRI's advice.
- To cut or remove trees in a public or provisional forest, you need a licence, permit or management agreement under the Act.
- If you grow a forest on your own land, you can register it with the Kenya Forest Service and ask for technical advice on forestry.
Watch out
- Cutting trees in a public or provisional forest without a licence can mean a fine of up to KSh 100,000, up to 6 months in jail, or both.
- Offences under the Act with no specific penalty, such as cutting a protected tree, carry a fine of up to KSh 10,000, up to 3 months in jail, or both.
- Anyone holding or trading in timber, poles, charcoal or other forest products must follow KFS's chain-of-custody rules, even if the trees came from a farm.
Who this covers
- Everyone: the ban on cutting protected tree species applies on any land
- Anyone cutting or removing trees in a public or provisional forest
Official sources (1)
- Forest Conservation and Management Act (No. 34 of 2016, Cap. 385) new.kenyalaw.org · read 2 Oct 2026