Environmental conservationists are calling on the Kenyan government to lease its idle land to private companies, women’s groups, and youth organizations for tree planting initiatives.
This proposal aims to support the government’s ambitious plan to plant 15 billion trees by 2032, increasing the country’s tree cover to 30 percent and restoring Kenya’s 10.6 million hectares of degraded landscapes and ecosystems.
Christine Wangari, Executive Director of Multi Touch International (MTI), highlighted the urgency of the initiative, citing the annual loss of approximately 50,000 hectares of trees in Kenya due to timber harvesting, charcoal production, firewood collection, and land clearing for agriculture and construction.
“Tree planting is critical not just for environmental conservation but also for enhancing food security, health outcomes, and economic growth,” Ms. Wangari emphasized during a press conference in Nakuru.
She urged the government to intensify civic education and mobilize public participation to achieve the 15-billion-tree target by 2032.
A Dire Environmental Landscape
Kenya loses around 12,000 hectares of its 4.6 million hectares of forest land annually due to rising demand for wood fuel, population growth, infrastructure development, and the conversion of forests into commercial farmland.
Currently, only about six percent of the country is forested—far below the United Nations’ recommended minimum of 10 percent.
This has led to severe consequences, including drying rivers, loss of biodiversity, and diminished carbon sinks, all of which exacerbate global warming.
Ms. Wangari warned that critical watersheds and riparian zones are rapidly degrading due to poor land use practices, deforestation, and encroachment, threatening water security and the livelihoods of millions of Kenyans dependent on agriculture and pastoralism.
“Forests are vital to Kenya’s renewable water resources, with 75 percent of the country’s surface water originating from forested areas. Yet, unchecked deforestation risks undermining this critical resource,” she explained.
Economic and Social Opportunities
Beyond environmental benefits, tree planting offers significant economic opportunities.
Ms. Wangari projected that 100,000 jobs could be created through the cultivation of high-value tree species like Prunus africana, sandalwood, commercial bamboo, and various fruit and medicinal trees.
Additionally, national afforestation programs targeting gazetted forests, schools, parks, and wildlife reserves could generate 300,000 more jobs.
She also cited the expansive Galana Kulalu irrigation project as a potential hub for tree planting, capable of producing over 40 billion high-value tree species and creating 400,000 jobs while mitigating deforestation and desertification.
The Role of Public Participation
The environmentalist stressed the importance of involving youth and local communities in conservation activities.
“A clean environment has a direct impact on food security, health, and even affordable housing. Engaging young people in environmental stewardship can empower them economically and socially,” she said.
Ms. Wangari noted that MTI, in collaboration with communities and volunteers, has already planted over 3.7 million indigenous and exotic tree seedlings in riparian areas, schools, and national parks within Nakuru County.
Challenges and the Way Forward
Despite these efforts, deforestation continues to pose a significant challenge due to factors such as unregulated charcoal production, overgrazing, poverty, and inadequate enforcement of conservation policies.
Climate change further compounds these issues, accelerating biodiversity loss and land degradation.
The United Nations has estimated that deforestation costs the Kenyan economy Ksh 5.8 billion annually through its negative effects on public health, agriculture, and other industries.
Ms. Wangari urged Kenyans to take personal responsibility by planting and nurturing trees, emphasizing that the benefits extend beyond mitigating climate change to enhancing livelihoods and food security.
“Each tree planted is a step toward a sustainable future. However, planting is just the beginning. It requires commitment to nurture the seedling until it matures, ensuring its long-term impact on the environment,” she stated.
As Kenya moves forward with its reforestation agenda, the appeal to lease idle government land for tree planting remains a critical step toward reversing deforestation, combating climate change, and creating sustainable livelihoods for millions of citizens.
