Conservation call

A Wake-Up Call for Conservation

Kenya is a land of remarkable ecological richness, home to some of Africa’s most unique and fragile ecosystems. From the towering mangrove forests along the Indian Ocean coast to the biodiverse mountain forests of the Mau Complex, Mt. Kenya, and Aberdares, our natural heritage supports both wildlife and human livelihoods.

However, this treasure is under severe threat. According to the Kenya Forest Service (KFS), Kenya’s forest cover was only 8.83% as of 2022—still below the constitutionally mandated target of 10%. The pace of deforestation, fueled by illegal logging, charcoal trade, agricultural encroachment, and rapid urban expansion, continues to outstrip reforestation efforts.

🌧️ Forests Are Not Just Trees

This is not simply a matter of losing green spaces. Forests in Kenya are life-support systems that underpin the economy, ecosystems, and public health. Here’s why:

• Water Security: Major rivers such as the Tana, Ewaso Nyiro, and Mara originate from forested highlands. These forests act as natural water towers, capturing rainfall, regulating flow, and recharging groundwater. Without them, downstream farming, hydropower generation, and urban water supply are in jeopardy.
• Climate Regulation: Forests absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen. They cool our cities, reduce soil erosion, and help maintain regional rainfall cycles. Deforestation leads to erratic weather patterns, droughts, and increased climate vulnerability.
• Biodiversity: Kenya’s forests are home to hundreds of species of birds, primates, insects, and endemic plants. These biodiverse hotspots are critical for ecological balance and global conservation efforts.
• Cultural & Spiritual Value: Many forest areas are sacred to local communities. The Kaya forests of the Mijikenda and the sacred groves of the Kikuyu and Maasai people are part of Kenya’s intangible heritage.
• Tourism & Economy: Forests contribute to eco-tourism, herbal medicine industries, and sustainable livelihoods. Their degradation directly threatens Kenya’s tourism revenue and rural employment.

🚨 The Cost of Inaction

If deforestation continues at the current rate, Kenya risks desertification, loss of food security, increased human-wildlife conflict, and declining health outcomes. Nairobi, already experiencing severe heatwaves and floods, will become even more vulnerable without urban greening.

Conservation is no longer optional—it is a national emergency that demands urgent policy action, citizen mobilization, and corporate accountability.