Kenya is set to receive a major boost after a groundbreaking Australian Government-funded research initiative was officially launched on Tuesday, February 25.
The Australian Government committed 3.5 million Australian dollars (Ksh287 million) towards the ambitious project which was unveiled by Dr. Jane Njuguna, Director of the Kenya Forestry Research Institute (KEFRI).
The project aims to accelerate regreening efforts across the country and promote sustainable environmental conservation.
Speaking at the launch in Nairobi, Njuguna emphasized the urgent need to restore Kenya’s degraded lands, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions, saying, "This initiative marks a significant step in addressing environmental degradation."
The director also reiterated the need to leverage scientific research and community engagement to create sustainable regreening solutions that benefit both people and nature.
The Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) is a key stakeholder in the initiative, which brings together a coalition of global and local partners including World Vision Australia, World Vision Kenya, KEFRI, the Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR-ICRAF), the University of Nairobi, and the United Nations University.
Not only will the project combine traditional knowledge with modern scientific techniques for restoring forests, it is also expected to focus on community-centered restoration approaches.
The project is expected to considerably add value to Kenya, which has grappled with challenges related to deforestation, land degradation, and desertification. All these issues have posed a risk to the country's biodiversity and agricultural productivity.
In the recent past, the Kenya Forest Service (KFS) has taken unique approaches to restoration efforts, which have at times been subjected to scrutiny from the public.
On January 26, KFS was forced to state claims that the Aberdare Forest was under destruction. In their statement, the Service clarified that the forest was undergoing routine maintenance, which had been mistaken for destruction.
Similarly, in November 2024, Kenyans blasted the KFS over alleged logging in Karura Forest, prompting the body to explain their tree-cutting initiative.
The tree-cutting at the time was part of efforts aimed at clearing exotic eucalyptus trees that would normally consume excess water, degrade the soil, dry up much faster than indigenous trees, and hinder indigenous growth making it harder for native plants to thrive.
