Women from Vihiga and Kakamega Unite to Conserve Kakamega Rain Forest

By Sharon Ambani 

Women in grassroots areas of Kakamega and Vihiga counties are encouraged to take a leading role in conserving the Kakamega Tropical Rainforest. This will  contribute immensely to the mitigation and adaptation efforts towards the fight against the adverse effects of climate change.

According to Rose Wamalwa, the Chief Executive Officer of Women in Water and Natural Resources Conservation (WWANC), women are greatly affected by climate change; hence, they should spearhead nature-based efforts like tree planting and growing to conserve the environment.

“Women are the most affected people by climate change. So it is our responsibility, or rather, an opportunity that we've been given to address the various challenges we face by embracing nature-based solutions and knowing that we are not just beneficiaries of community environmental conservation initiatives but we have played a role in them,” says Wamalwa

The organization, in partnership with the International Tree Foundation (ITF), engages women from the areas of Iloro in Kakamega County and Kibiri in Vihiga County to nurture indigenous trees in the Kakamega Forest, the only tropical Rainforest in the country.

“We have partnered with the International Tree Foundation since 2021 to adopt about 350 hectares of Kakamega Forest, 250 in Iloro, Kakamega, and 100 in Kibiri Vihiga. We have supported women from the surrounding areas of Kakamega forest who have committed themselves to planting and growing over 240,000 indigenous tree species in the forest. We aim to restore and conserve this unique natural resource and increase mitigation efforts against climate change,” she said.

Wamalwa’s remarks were reiterated by the Chief Executive Officer of the International Tree Foundation, James Whitehead, who said his organization seeks to conserve Kakamega Forest due to the significant role it plays in balancing the ecosystem. 

“I am struck. This is the first time I have visited Kakamega Forest, and it is the only tropical rainforest in this part of the world [Kenya]. And so it is precious. If we lose it, we might not get it back,” said Whiteman.

“The forest is precious to the region as it is the source of water flowing in various rivers. It is also important for local communities’ livelihood. As an organization, we are grateful to be part of this, and we shall continue to support local community-led initiatives to conserve the forest,” he added.

The Kakamega Forest Manager at Iloro station, James Gachia, has stated that such initiatives are a booster to the conservation of biodiversity in the forest.

“We are going to do all we can as the Kenya Forest Services to protect all planted trees. We are ready to partner with other stakeholders to rehabilitate the Kakamega forest. In the future, we will see a well-conserved natural forest with many other biodiversity tree species, apart from the abundant guavas, thriving in this area,” said Gachia.

He has also stressed the need to meet President William Ruto’s order to plant and grow 15 billion trees by 2032, an initiative meant to increase the country’s tree cover and fight the adverse effects of climate change.

Apart from planting trees, the organization funds environmental protection projects such as using clean cooking energy to reduce the rate of residents cutting down trees in the forest.

“We have been giving women Eco-stoves to reduce their reliance on firewood for cooking,” says Wamalwa.

“We also empower them with some skills, such as establishing tree nurseries as businesses so that they can do some nature-based enterprises. This empowers them socioeconomically while eradicating poverty,” she added.

The local communities have attested to benefiting from the projects by WWANC.

“My husband died when I had just joined this initiative. I am glad I can support my children with the money I get from my tree nurseries. I also play a role in protecting the forest as a vigilant,” said one of the beneficiaries.

WWANC Board Chairperson Dr. Stella Wanjala now urges other stakeholders, such as the Kenya Forest Services and other organizations, to come on board and support them in this result-oriented initiative.