KENYA LAUNCHES KEY FOREST RESTORATION INITIATIVE UNDER AFR100 PROJECT May 8, 2025

The Government of Kenya, in collaboration with development partners, has officially inaugurated the Project Advisory Committee (PAC) for the AFR100 Project—a strategic forest and landscape restoration initiative aimed at rejuvenating degraded ecosystems in Baringo and Elgeyo Marakwet counties.

Forestry Principal Secretary Mr. Gitonga Mugambi today presided over the official inauguration of the Project Advisory Committee (PAC) at a Nairobi hotel.

The inaugural ceremony marked a significant step in Kenya’s journey to restore 5.1 million hectares of degraded land under the African Forest Landscape Restoration Initiative (AFR100) and the Bonn Challenge commitments.

“This initiative is a timely and strategic intervention that resonates strongly with Kenya’s forest landscape restoration ambitions and our broader environmental priorities,” said PS Mugambi.

The AFR100 project is being implemented through a partnership involving the State Department for Forestry, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), and the Government of Germany through GIZ. It aims to create nature-based jobs, enhance climate resilience, and promote sustainable value chains in local communities.

PS Mugambi, who was accompanied by Forestry Development Secretary Mr George Tarus, emphasized the need for inclusive implementation, urging the PAC to play a proactive role in managing risks and guiding the project effectively. “Monitoring and evaluation must be inclusive, involving communities, funders, and all levels of government,” he noted.

He further called for stronger private sector engagement to scale up conservation-linked enterprises, encouraging innovation in bio-economy ventures.

“Let us invest in building the capacity of local communities—not just to participate in implementation, but to take ownership,” he added.

The initiative aligns with FAO’s Strategic Framework and Kenya’s Bottom-up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), positioning the country as a regional leader in sustainable land restoration.

Other speakers at the ceremony included Dr Nyabenyi Tipu from Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and Head Strategic Initiatives Mr Peterson Kamau.

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