Kenya’s Forest Restoration: Action and Innovation 🌿

Kenya has seen substantial forest losses over the past two decades, with an estimated 54,900 hectares of humid primary forest cleared since 2001, according to the World Resources Institute. This deforestation has worsened carbon emissions and impacted food security, biodiversity, and climate resilience. In response, Kenya launched its ambitious 15-billion-tree initiative in 2023, aiming to increase forest cover from 12% to 30% by 2032. 🌱

On World Food Day 2024, the importance of reforestation for food security took center stage at an event held by CIFOR-ICRAF in collaboration with the African Orphan Crops Consortium (AOCC) and Roots of Peace. Kenyan leaders, including Dr. Korir Sing’oei, Principal Secretary of Foreign Affairs, and Ambassador Gertrude Angote, Permanent Representative to the UNEP, joined CIFOR-ICRAF’s CEO Dr. Éliane Ubalijoro in championing this reforestation mission. Dr. Sing’oei emphasized Kenya’s efforts and highlighted the need for planting “the right trees, in the right place, at the right time.” 🌍

Kenya’s national tree-planting holiday, first celebrated in November 2023, saw citizens across the country plant an estimated 100 million trees as part of the 15-billion-tree initiative. 🌲 To make this mission accessible, the Kenyan government developed the JazaMiti app 📱, which helps users choose tree species best suited for their regions and track growth over time. This app encourages sustainable reforestation and fosters community participation, playing a key role in empowering Kenyans to contribute directly to the country’s ambitious reforestation goals.