The Green Belt Movement in partnership with other environmental partners on Wednesday September 30, 2026 handed over six rehabilitated sites in Dundori Forest to the Kenya Forest Service.
The event is a culmination of what a journey of collaboration among stakeholders can yield in matters greening and restoration of Forest cover in the Country.
According to The Green Belt Movement, the handing over of the sites is a milestone under Phase II of the Mau Restoration Project.
The handed over rehabilitated sites covering 68 hectares in Dundori Forest will go a long way in contributing towards addressing matters climate change.
Since 2021, The Green Belt Movement in partnership with communities and other stakeholders has seen 158 hectares in Dundori Forest rehabilitated.
A total 211,420 indigenous seedlings have also been planted under the initiative, with the six sites handed over accounting for approximately 110,000 seedlings, representing an investment of about KES 3.3 million in seedlings alone.
The Green Belt Movement lauded the 15 tree nursery groups in Dundori for the good working relationship for the past five years.
“Their dedication to producing and nurturing seedlings has been central to this restoration effort,” stated the Organization that has continued to play key in matters forest restoration.
France Ambassador to Kenya H.E. Wadid Benaabou who was the Chief Guest during the event lauded the collaboration among stakeholders reiterating the importance of communities embracing matters environment conservation.
Benaabou commended the efforts towards restoring Dundori Forest and emphasized the importance of strong partnerships in advancing forest restoration, climate action and sustainable environmental conservation.
Sentiments echoed by AFD France, led by Country Director Anne-Gaël Chapuis.
Chief conservator of Forests (CCF)Mr Alex Lemarkoko in his remarks emphasized the importance of strengthening forest protection through fencing, which helps define forest boundaries, prevent illegal activities and promote natural regeneration.
He highlighted KFS’s adoption of technology for forest surveillance, intelligence gathering, early fire detection and rapid response, including drones, firefighting equipment and live video smoke detection systems.
The Chief Conservator noted that the technology is already operational in the Mau, Mount Kenya and Aberdare ecosystems, with plans to expand to Mount Elgon.
He also highlighted ongoing efforts to restore degraded forests and mangrove ecosystems as part of Kenya’s goal of achieving 30% tree cover by 2032.
County Forest Conservator Humphrey Osoro highlighted the importance of forest restoration in advancing Kenya’s national environmental conservation agenda.
He noted that the rehabilitation of Dundori Forest contributes to the Government’s 15 Billion Trees Growing Programme by increasing tree cover, restoring degraded forests and strengthening ecosystem resilience.
Osoro emphasized the need for continued collaboration among government institutions, development partners, communities and other stakeholders to accelerate tree growing and ensure sustainable management of Kenya’s forest resources.
Sentiments echoed by Nakuru County Chief Executive Committee Member for Environment, Water and Natural Resource Nelson Mara.
The CECM pointed out that collaboration between Government, Kenya Forest Service; Community Forest Associations, community representatives and other partners remains key in matters conservation.
The handover of the 68 fully restored hectares marks an important milestone in strengthening forest restoration and sustainable forest management efforts in Kenya.
During the event, community members neighbouring Dundori Forest recounted their experience working in the various Tree Nursery Groups.
Their testimonials- a clear indicator that restoration must go hand in hand with livelihoods as income from seedling production has helped families educate their children, acquire land, build homes and invest in new livelihood opportunities.
Through agroforestry and sustainable land management, community members are also strengthening food security, household incomes and climate resilience.
The Green Belt Movement believes that this is the essence of participatory forest management: when government, communities, civil society and development partners work together to restore forests while creating lasting benefits for the people who protect them.
While handing over the sites was a one day event, communities were urged to continue with the responsibility of ensuring that the forests continue to grow and that the communities at their heart continue to benefit from a healthy, living and biodiverse ecosystem.