Restoration of natural forest ecosystems

Although the Ntugi and Kivaa forests in Machakos and Tharaka Nithi counties are designated as sacred natural forests under the National Museums and Heritage Act, they are seriously threatened by illegal logging and agricultural use. This project collaborates with local communities and forest officials to restore the forest systems through various measures, such as capacity building for forest management and participatory planning. Additionally, the project includes the establishment of tree nurseries to cultivate indigenous trees and the restoration of 550 hectares of degraded forest areas. The target group includes adjacent communities, the Kenya Forest Service, and relevant county governments, with about 700 people benefiting directly. The project aims to achieve sustainability and multiplier effects by leveraging indigenous knowledge and practices, establishing forest protection guidelines, and integrating multi-stakeholder platforms into county policies.