Is logging legal in Kenya? Timber harvesting licences and protected trees
Kenya Forest Service Rules; Forest Conservation and Management Act) · sources read 4 Oct 2026
Logging is legal only with a valid licence from the Kenya Forest Service: no one may harvest timber in a state, provisional, local authority or registered private forest without one. Trees the government has declared protected may not be cut, traded in or exported at all.
- Where
- Kenya Forest Service (KFS) offices, through the Divisional Forest Officer
What you need
- To move produce from a state or local authority forest: a valid licence and a delivery note from KFS; from other land: a proof of origin from the forest owner
- Proof that you paid the prescribed fee
Steps
- Check that the tree is not a protected species. The Cabinet Secretary declares protected species by order in the Kenya Gazette, on KEFRI's advice.
- Apply to the Kenya Forest Service for a licence to harvest timber. Your local Divisional Forest Officer acts for the KFS Director.
- When moving the timber, the driver must carry the original delivery note or proof of origin in the vehicle the whole way.
Watch out
- A protected tree species can't be felled, cut, damaged, removed, traded in or exported by anyone, even with other paperwork.
- A delivery note or proof of origin is good for one trip only, from loading to offloading.
- Breaking the harvesting rules can mean a fine of at least KSh 10,000, up to 1 year in jail, or both.
Who this covers
- Anyone harvesting timber in a state, provisional, local authority or registered private forest, who must first hold a valid licence
Official sources (2)
- The Forests (Harvesting) Rules, 2009 (L.N. 185 of 2009) new.kenyalaw.org · read 4 Oct 2026
- Forest Conservation and Management Act (No. 34 of 2016) new.kenyalaw.org · read 4 Oct 2026