The Kisumu County government has been asked to implement farm and dryland forestry interventions with technical support to attain the 10% forest cover.
Speaking during the regional consultative workshop at a Kisumu hotel, Kenya Forestry Service Director Emilio Mugo said the 10% forest cover as stated in the constitution can only be achieved if the county and national government work together in realising the goal.
"This therefore calls for sustained partnership between the service and Kisumu County government in the implementation of the national forest policy, legislation and the rule and regulations developed under the Forest Act," said Mugo.
The director said that Kisumu County had the obligation to develop a county specific transition implementation plan to enable the smooth transfer of the devolved forestry function.
"It is for this reason the preparations of Transition Implementation Plans as provided under the statutes has been initiated by the Kenya Forestry Service to ensure a smooth transfer of functions," said Mugo.
He observed that the constitution provides that devolution to the county governments will be undertaken in a phased approach over a period of not more than three years from the first election of county assembly.