The Kenya Forest Service (KFS), through its Adopt-a-Forest Initiative, continues to strengthen partnerships with State and non-State actors to accelerate the national greening agenda and support the Government’s ambitious target of increasing the country’s tree cover to 30 per cent by 2032. Through collaborative efforts, the Service is mobilising resources, expertise and community participation to restore degraded forest landscapes, safeguard water catchments and promote sustainable forest management.
The Chief Conservator of Forests (CCF) Mr. Alex Lemarkoko joined Principal Secretary for Forestry Mr. Gitonga Mugambi and his Energy counterpart, Mr. Alex Wachira, in launching a 100-hectare forest restoration project in Mbeu Forest, Lower Imenti, Meru County.
The four-year initiative, implemented by the State Department for Energy in partnership with the local Community Forest Association (CFA), will rehabilitate degraded sections of Mbeu Forest, strengthen its water catchment functions and enhance water flows into River Tana, which plays a critical role in supporting hydropower generation.
Speaking during the launch, PS Forestry Mr. Gitonga Mugambi underscored the importance of strategic partnerships in advancing forest conservation and restoration, noting that achieving the national tree cover target requires a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach. He called on communities and stakeholders to take an active role in growing and protecting trees to ensure the sustainability of restoration investments.
PS Energy Mr. Alex Wachira highlighted the strong link between forest conservation and energy security, noting that healthy forest ecosystems are essential in sustaining water flows into rivers that support hydropower generation. He reaffirmed the State Department’s commitment to supporting catchment restoration as part of efforts to safeguard the country’s energy infrastructure and promote environmental sustainability.
CCF Mr. Alex Lemarkoko commended the State Department for Energy for its continued investment in forest restoration, emphasising that the Adopt-a-Forest Initiative provides an important platform for mobilising public and private sector partnerships towards landscape restoration. He called for sustained community involvement in tree growing, maintenance and forest protection to ensure the long-term survival of planted seedlings and the recovery of degraded ecosystems.
The latest intervention builds on the State Department for Energy’s previous support for the rehabilitation of 419 hectares of degraded forest areas across Meru County, covering Mbeu Phases I and II, Nyambene Hills, Kaunga Katakene, Mucheene in Buuri and Mweru-Biankure Hill. The additional 100 hectares will further expand ongoing restoration efforts.
The project is financed through the Kenya Energy Sector Environment and Social Responsibility Programme Fund (KEEP), established in 2007 to support tree growing, soil conservation and the protection of water catchment areas serving hydropower infrastructure. Beyond its environmental benefits, the initiative will create livelihood opportunities for local communities through site preparation, tree planting, weeding and forest protection, while supporting community nurseries supplying seedlings.
The initiative reinforces the Government’s 15BillionTreesBy2032 campaign and demonstrates the importance of cross-sectoral collaboration in restoring degraded landscapes, securing vital water resources and building resilient ecosystems.
The launch was also attended by CEO of the 15 Billion Trees National Secretariat, Mr. Felix Kisalu, and North Imenti Member of Parliament, Hon. Abdul Rahim Dawood, Meru County Forest Conservator, Mr. Wellington Ndaka among other stakeholders.
