The Kenya forest service(KFS) has acknowledged the daunting challenge of spearheading the planting of 15 billion trees by 2032, an initiative under President William Ruto.
In this regard, the service says collaboration with likeminded partners will help zero in the gap as only 1.25 billion trees have so far been grown since the launch of the initiative, three years ago.
Speaking at the Kenya Forest service headquarters in Nairobi during the conclusion of a strategic partnership agreement, KFS Chief Executive CEO Titus Korir asserted that lack of financial resources to purchase seedlings and inconsistent rain patterns are some the bottleneck hampering the ambitious plan.
These sentiments, were largely echoed by the Principal Deputy to the Chief Conservator of Forests (PDCCF) and the SDCCF for Forest Conservation and Management Dr. Clement Ng’oriareng’ who noted that while the Service was at the forefront in providing technical support and coordinating tree growing efforts, the task cannot be left to KFS alone as it was a shared responsibility for all citizens.
“We may not be able to deliver on it alone as a service. We need partners. We require many hands,” stated Dr. Clement Ng’oriareng’, the Principal Deputy to the Chief Conservator of Forests’. “We are grateful for this partnership.”
Call on partnerships
Tawi Research Limited, has stepped in to add value to the plan by optimizing and leveraging the conservation efforts by the forest service. The limited that deals with agroforestry and agriculture in the yet to be signed memorandum of understanding looks to address the climate challenges in the Arid and Semi Arid land in Kenya.
“Our discussions have been fruitful. “The partnership addresses a key bottleneck in the 15-billion-tree campaign., confirmed that more than half of the national target relies on rehabilitating these degraded drylands.”
TAWI Research will lead this effort by developing large-scale agribusiness and irrigated forestry projects specifically designed to thrive in arid conditions.
PARTNERSHIP APROACH
Chairman of Truly Kenya , Alex Chesosi outlines that partnership approach stating that the multi-pronged initiative will first establish pilot schemes in specific dry areas to identify and cultivate the most suitable tree species.
Chesosi added that project will also drives a green agenda by creating significant employment opportunities for youth and women, simultaneously building climate resilience and fostering community benefits.
Truly Kenya is a consortium partner that will be offering strategic guidance during the tenure of the partnership.
Complementing this on-the-ground work, consortium partner Chainparency will deploy cutting-edge software and real-time data tools to meticulously measure tree growth and verify all conservation activities.
The Chairman of the KFS Board of Directors hailed the partnership as a value additive, particularly in Kenya’s drier areas that need an enhanced the forest cover.
He confirmed that only minor legal amendments remain before the MOU is signed, with implementation expected to begin immediately afterward.
The finalized agreement will see the partners collaborate on forest restoration, climate change mitigation, capacity building, and resource mobilization, marking a significant step forward in Kenya’s journey toward a climate-resilient future.