Kakamega County Signs MoU to Conserve Kenya’s Only Tropical Rainforest

 

The County Government of Kakamega has signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with a consortium of environmental and research organizations to enhance the conservation of the Kakamega Tropical Rainforest – Kenya’s only remaining tropical rainforest.

The agreement brings together the Wangari Maathai Foundation (WMF), the Institute of Research for Development (IRD), the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE), and the German Nature Protection (GNP) in a joint effort to restore and protect the forest’s unique biodiversity. The initiative will focus on creating socio-ecological and ecologically balanced landscapes that safeguard endangered plant species while promoting sustainable livelihoods for the local communities surrounding the forest.

The consortium, led by the Wangari Maathai Foundation, unveiled the biodiversity enhancement project during a high-level delegation visit to the county. Speaking during the event, officials emphasized the importance of preserving the rainforest not only for its ecological significance but also for its role in climate resilience, scientific research, and community development.

Deputy Governor H.E. Ayub Savula received the delegation on behalf of Governor H.E. FCPA Fernandes Barasa. He was accompanied by County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Environment, Natural Resources, Climate Change and Forestry, Peninah Mukabane, alongside other senior county officials.

“This partnership marks a critical milestone in our ongoing efforts to protect our natural heritage while ensuring the communities around the forest benefit through sustainable development,” said Deputy Governor Savula.

In addition to the conservation initiative, the French Embassy in Kenya, represented by Ambassador H.E. Arnaud Suquet, reaffirmed its support for grassroots development by rolling out a school feeding program dubbed Food 4 Education. The program, which currently benefits over 20,000 pupils across Kakamega County, aims to increase enrollment and retention in schools while addressing child nutrition.

At present, 35 learning institutions in the county are benefiting from the feeding initiative, with plans underway to expand its reach to more schools in the near future.

Ambassador Suquet praised the County Government’s commitment to education and environmental conservation, stating, “We believe in partnerships that not only address urgent socio-economic needs but also promote sustainable development.”

The Kakamega Rainforest, a remnant of the once vast Guineo-Congolian rainforest belt, is home to an extraordinary array of flora and fauna, some of which are found nowhere else on earth. Conservationists have long called for intensified efforts to protect this unique ecosystem from threats such as deforestation, encroachment, and climate change.

With the signing of this MoU, Kakamega County is positioning itself as a leader in environmental stewardship, community empowerment, and sustainable development.