Restoration and Sustainable Management of Cherangany Forest Ecosystems for Climate
Change Resilience and Improved Livelihoods
The Cherangany Forest Ecosystem, a vital water tower located in Elgeyo Marakwet, West
Pokot, and Trans Nzoia counties, plays a key role in Kenya’s water security, biodiversity, and
community livelihoods. However, decades of illegal logging, charcoal burning, encroachment,
and poor land use have degraded over 10,000 hectares, leading to drying rivers, reduced
biodiversity, and increased vulnerability to climate shocks such as floods and landslides.
To address this, the Governments of Kenya and Italy, through the Italian Agency for
Development Cooperation (AICS), launched the Restoration and Sustainable Management of
the Cherangany Forest Ecosystem (RCFE) project. The three-year project focuses on restoring
92,000 hectares of degraded forest and promoting sustainable land use practices that benefit
both the environment and the people living around it.
With NETFUND, as the executing agency, the initiative aims to restore the Forest Ecosystem
while enhancing community livelihoods. Key interventions include large-scale and on-farm tree
growing, training farmers in sustainable land management, and promoting alternative incomes
like beekeeping, eco-tourism, and clean energy. The project also strengthens the capacity of
local institutions and explores long-term financing models to support ongoing conservation and
nature-based enterprises.
In Elgeyo Marakwet, the project is supporting the restoration of degraded forest blocks through assisted natural regeneration and targeted tree growing, while strengthening Community Forest Associations (CFAs) and training farmers in agroforestry and soil conservation to reduce pressure on forest resources. NETFUND is also establishing tree nurseries to supply quality seedlings for both forest and on-farm planting.
In West Pokot, restoration efforts focus on Chepkitale and Kamatira forest blocks, alongside the promotion of clean energy solutions such as energy-saving cookstoves. Alternative livelihoods including beekeeping and eco-tourism are being supported, with local youth and women’s groups actively engaged in seedling production and nature-based enterprises.
Ultimately, the project is contributing directly to Kenya’s 15 Billion Tree Campaign, National Climate Change Action Plan, and Landscape and Ecosystem Restoration Strategy. Through this Italy -Kenya partnership, degraded lands are being restored, biodiversity is being protected, and forest-adjacent communities are gaining the tools and support they need to thrive sustainably.
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How a Strategic Partnership Between Italy and Kenya Is Restoring One of Kenya’s Most Critical Forest Ecosystems
Restoration and Sustainable Management of Cherangany Forest Ecosystems for Climate
Change Resilience and Improved Livelihoods
The Cherangany Forest Ecosystem, a vital water tower located in Elgeyo Marakwet, West
Pokot, and Trans Nzoia counties, plays a key role in Kenya’s water security, biodiversity, and
community livelihoods. However, decades of illegal logging, charcoal burning, encroachment,
and poor land use have degraded over 10,000 hectares, leading to drying rivers, reduced
biodiversity, and increased vulnerability to climate shocks such as floods and landslides.
To address this, the Governments of Kenya and Italy, through the Italian Agency for
Development Cooperation (AICS), launched the Restoration and Sustainable Management of
the Cherangany Forest Ecosystem (RCFE) project. The three-year project focuses on restoring
92,000 hectares of degraded forest and promoting sustainable land use practices that benefit
both the environment and the people living around it.
With NETFUND, as the executing agency, the initiative aims to restore the Forest Ecosystem
while enhancing community livelihoods. Key interventions include large-scale and on-farm tree
growing, training farmers in sustainable land management, and promoting alternative incomes
like beekeeping, eco-tourism, and clean energy. The project also strengthens the capacity of
local institutions and explores long-term financing models to support ongoing conservation and
nature-based enterprises.
In Elgeyo Marakwet, the project is supporting the restoration of degraded forest blocks through assisted natural regeneration and targeted tree growing, while strengthening Community Forest Associations (CFAs) and training farmers in agroforestry and soil conservation to reduce pressure on forest resources. NETFUND is also establishing tree nurseries to supply quality seedlings for both forest and on-farm planting.
In West Pokot, restoration efforts focus on Chepkitale and Kamatira forest blocks, alongside the promotion of clean energy solutions such as energy-saving cookstoves. Alternative livelihoods including beekeeping and eco-tourism are being supported, with local youth and women’s groups actively engaged in seedling production and nature-based enterprises.
Ultimately, the project is contributing directly to Kenya’s 15 Billion Tree Campaign, National Climate Change Action Plan, and Landscape and Ecosystem Restoration Strategy. Through this Italy -Kenya partnership, degraded lands are being restored, biodiversity is being protected, and forest-adjacent communities are gaining the tools and support they need to thrive sustainably.
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