Kenya 

Programme Summary

Intensive work between 2008 and April 2009 saw our partner’s network grow to 17 organizations. By the end of October 2009, the number of the groups developed had increased to more than 40. In addition, the number of seedlings that are projected to be planted this year should increase by over 200%, from 300,000 planted in 2008 to 1,000,000 planted in 2009. The welcome rains in December 2009 are expected to continue throughout January 2010, giving plenty of time to plant hundreds of thousands of trees.

Partners Network

Wide Rescue Initiative Organisation - One World Development Foundation - WECARNKENYA - Kiangondu Environmental Network - Mugamba Muthira Group - Kavai Kamutua - Mathaga Group - Ruguru Women's Group - Kanjigi Kwirutrira Women's Group - Tujenge Mufu Group - Thuci Group - Ngirigiri Group - Baraka Institute - Kamunyu Group - Ukweli Training and Development Centre - Kakoko Group


Background

It may be surprising to hear that only 3% of Kenya’s forests remain. There has been extensive cutting of native hardwood species by carvers and carpenters causing widespread deforestation.  In recent years there has been an increase in poaching in the National Parks close to Somalia and Ethiopia. This has caused so much danger, destruction and expense that the Kenya Wildlife Service may close those parks. With its wondrous African animal kingdom and wildlife it’s difficult to comprehend how they will survive without much of their natural habitat, moreover how Kenyans will sustain agricultural livelihoods. Kenya’s forests needs to be developed.


Kenyans understand the importance of tree planting and there are many groups and individuals who want to work towards this aim recognising that forests play a vital role in the stabilisation of soils and ground water. This will play a massive role in supporting the conduct of reliable agricultural activity. Kenya is committed to the inter-sectoral development and sustainable use of forestry resources and is committed under international conventions and other agreements to promote the sustainable management, conservation and utilisation of forests and biological diversity.

The Response


Kenya has large projects throughout Central and Western Kenya. There are several demonstration farms that are being developed to educate local communities on sustainable agriculture and agroforestry. There are several reforestation projects in and near protected forests, such as Mount Kenya, and Kakamega Forest Reserve. Our partners are working with several women’s groups and some local trade schools.

2008 saw a large expansion of the Kenya Program engaging the interest of many organizations in the tree planting and initiative as a whole . Our partners distributed 300,000 seeds in 2008. In 2009, a Kenya Country Coordinator role was created specifically for projects in Kenya.
The healthy growth of partnership development up to December 2009 has developed through positive working relationships between the Kenya Program Coordinator, local organisations and government officials.  Parts of Kenya had finally started receiving large amounts of rainfall (for the first time that year). The current rainy season will allow the community groups to transplant the seedlings they have growing in their nurseries. The partnership between trees and local organizations has given TREES a great opportunity in reaching rural communities.


During the first quarter of 2009 the Kenya Program was very successful as the Kenya Program Coordinator was in place to oversee and implement tree planting and agroforestry projects throughout Kenya. This role of the coordinator has allowed partnering organisations to provide more direct supervision and implementation of the ongoing projects in Kenya, which allowed the planting of even more trees in 2009.