Focussing an Wood Preservation in Kenya, the Report discusses and elaborates on Education and Training, Research, Wood deteriorating organisms, Treatment Plants and Processes, Preserving Chemicals, Specifications, Markets, Health and Safety and Environmental issues. Education and Research is limited to one Institution only, other Institutions involved with the properties and utilization of wood hardly touches Preservation. Publications and results of Research Projects over the years have emanated from that Institution. Conferences have not been held for a long time in the country. Fungi, insects, including termites, and Marine borers, are all present in the country. The amount of untreated or poorly treated wood lost through the activities of these organisms is substantial. Treatment is usually of a general nature, assuming that Schedules used will protect timber against all agents of decay. The Kenyan Wood Preservation Industry, now 50 years old and with some 27 Plants around the country, has not explored other Wood Preserving Chemicals or Treatment methods. The four Preservatives used are still CCA, Creosote, BFCA and PCP. The Bethel Process is used by all pressure Plants (CCA and Creosote), with only one immersion Plant (BFCA and PCP). Eucalyptus, Acacia,Cypress and some are the species commonly treated, mainly for the local market with some exports. Schedules have not been properly worked out for different end uses. Transmission, Telegraph poles and Fencing posts comprise the bulk of timber treated, with smaller amounts of Construction timber and Horticultural poles. The four Chemicals used are of foreign origin, imported by Treatment Plants. Apart from a few Standards formulated by the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KBS), there are no other Standards or Codes of Practice to guide the Industry and Users of treated timbers. Specifications have not been fully worked out. The KBS is the only Authority responsible for Quality Control and Certification. Health and Safety of Plant operatives is not of major concern. Problems associated with Toxic Preserving Chemicals in the environment has not been fully addressed yet.

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