KEFRI Shines at World Rainforest Day, Wins Top Exhibition Award in Kakamega Forest

The Kenya Forestry Research Institute (KEFRI) emerged among the top performers during this year's World Rainforest Day celebrations after scooping the award for the Best Exhibition Stand at a colorful event held at the Lianungu Forest Block in Kakamega Forest.

The celebrations, held under the theme "The Forest Within You," brought together government officials, environmental experts, conservation organizations, and local communities to highlight the critical role forests play in sustaining livelihoods, biodiversity, and combating climate change.

The KEFRI delegation was led by Director General Jane Njuguna, who joined other stakeholders in marking the global environmental event. The Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Forestry team was led by Cabinet Secretary Deborah Barasa.

The event's Chief Guest was Ida Odinga, Kenya's Permanent Representative to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). Also present were Fernandes Barasa, Principal Secretary for Forestry Gitonga Mugambi, and senior officials from various environmental and forestry agencies.

During the celebrations, KEFRI showcased a range of innovative forestry technologies aimed at promoting sustainable forest management and environmental conservation. Visitors flocked to the institute's exhibition stand to learn about modern tree grafting techniques, sustainable timber production technologies, and the use of smart energy-saving cookstoves (smart jikos) as an alternative source of clean and affordable energy.

The institute's display attracted widespread attention from participants and judges alike, ultimately earning KEFRI the coveted Best Exhibition Stand Trophy, a recognition of its efforts in advancing forestry research, innovation, and public awareness.

The event also brought together key stakeholders including the Kenya Forest Service>, National Environment Management Authority>, Kenya Wildlife Service>, officers from the State Department of Forestry, and representatives from the County Government of Kakamega, among others.

Speaking during the event, leaders emphasized the need for collective action in protecting Kenya's forests, restoring degraded ecosystems, and increasing tree cover to address the growing threats posed by climate change.

The award is a significant boost for KEFRI as it continues to champion research-driven solutions aimed at enhancing forest conservation, sustainable resource utilization, and environmental resilience across the country.

For KEFRI, the recognition was not only a celebration of innovation but also a testament to the institution's commitment to safeguarding Kenya's forests for future generations.