Forestry research in Kenya was started in 1934 as a unit of the then Forest Department. The unit later became a research branch focusing on applied research on forest silviculture, entomology, pathology and wood utilization. In 1948, the East Africa Agricultural and Forestry Organization (EAAFRO) was established in Muguga under the East Africa High Commission to undertake regional research including; tree breeding, forest pathology, forest entomology and catchment hydrology. In 1973, the research branch was transformed into a Research Conservancy of the Forest Department of EAAFRO.
Following the breakup of East African Community (EAC) in 1977, EAAFRO was disbanded. In 1981, the Research Division of EAAFRO and Research Conservancy of Forest Department were merged into the Forestry Research Department of the newly created Kenya Agricultural Research Institute (KARI). Kenya Forestry Research Institute (KEFRI) was established as a state corporation in 1986 under the Science and Technology Act Chapter 250 of the Laws of Kenya to focus on forestry research. The Act was repealed by the Science, Technology and Innovation Act No 28 of 2013. Kenya Forestry Research Institute is also mandated under the Forest Conservation and Management Act, 2016 to undertake forestry research.
KEFRI undertakes research and provides technologies and information for sustainable management, conservation and development of forests and allied natural resources. The Institute is ISO 14001:2015 Environmental Management Systems (EMS) and ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management Systems (QMS) certified and therefore conforms to international standards on environmental and quality management and relevant national legislations and its research meets international standards.
KEFRI headquarters is located in Muguga, 23 km north-west of Nairobi, off Nairobi - Nakuru highway. KEFRI has 5 regional research programmes with head offices in Gede, Kitui, Muguga, Londiani and Maseno. The Institute has one National Forest Products Research Centre located in Karura.
KEFRI currently undertakes its research and development activities under five thematic areas namely;
Forest Productivity, Health and Tree Improvement (FPHTI)
Forest Biodiversity, Climate Change, and Environment Management (FBCCEM)
Forest Products and Entrepreneurship Development (FPED)
Socio-Economic Policy and Governance (SPG)
Forest Research Support Services (FRSS)
These thematic areas are supported by Corporate Affairs and Quality Assurance and Corporate Services Directorate that include Finance, Human Resource Management, Administration, Supply Chain Management, Revenue Generation Unit, Partnerships and Resource Mobilization, National and County Technical Liaison, Planning, Strategy & Risk Management, Monitoring & Evaluation Corporation Secretary & Legal Services and Internal Audit.
KEFRI research and development activities are implemented in all the agro-ecological zones of the country. The Institute has five (5) Eco-region Research Programmes:
Coast Eco-Region Research Programme (CERP)
Drylands Eco-Region Research Programme (DERP)
Central Highlands Eco-Region Research Programme (CHERP)
Rift Valley Eco-Region Research Programme (RVERP)
Lake Victoria Eco-Region Research Programme (LVERP).
KEFRI also runs one National Forest Products Research Programme (NFPRP). These Eco-regional Research Programmes have their main centres in Gede, Kitui, Muguga, Londiani, Maseno and Karura respectively. KEFRI headquarters is situated at Muguga.
A research centre of excellence in forestry and allied natural resources for sustainable development.
To conduct research in forestry and allied natural resources for sustainable development through innovations, capacity building and technology transfer..
Excellence: Committed to high standards of professionalism.
Creativity and Innovation: Promote, support and implement new ideas, methods and products
Integrity: Uphold honesty, high moral standards and intolerance to corruption
Teamwork: Build cordial working relations and team spirit
Inclusivity: Equal access to opportunities and resources
Networking: Strive to attain sustainable networks and partnerships
Customer Focus: Oriented to customer needs and satisfaction.
Conduct research and development in forestry and allied natural resources.
Disseminate research findings.
Build capacity of stakeholders in forestry and allied natural resources.
Establish partnerships and cooperate with other research organizations and institutions of higher learning in joint research and training.
The KEFRI Strategic Plan 2022-2027 will strive to achieve seventeen (17) strategic objectives which are to:
Coordinate implementation of research and development activities
Enhance forest productivity for improved livelihoods and environmental sustainability.
Generate technologies for management and conservation of forest landscapes and resilience to climate change for sustainable development.
Develop technologies for efficient processing and utilization of forest products for livelihood improvement.
Generate information to guide development of policies, regulatory and institutional frameworks to enhance governance in the forest sector for socio- economic development.
Provide technical support services, conduct expert training courses and disseminate research findings to support forestry development.
Enhance corporate publicity for increased visibility and ensure quality of research and service delivery.
Enhance partnerships and linkages for implementation of joint activities and resource mobilization.
Enhance partnerships and linkages for joint implementation of national and county activities.
Coordinate implementation of corporate services activities.
Strengthen institutional capacity for research and development
Strengthen internal controls, improve operational efficiency and promote good governance and ethical behaviour.
Define institutional goals and enhance ability to identify and manage risks and protect assets.
Undertake management of the procurement function, offer technical advice on procurement issues and ensure compliance with procurement policies, rules and regulations.
Provide professional secretarial and legal support to KEFRI Board of Directors and the Institute.
Enhance revenue collection.
Strengthen institutional capacity in planning, monitoring, evaluation and reporting.