FLY 748 commits Ksh.3.1 million to Ngong Forest restoration

The project will be implemented in collaboration with the Ngong Hills Metro Community Forest Association and will expand the airline’s forest conservation footprint to 25.5 acres, following the restoration of 15.5 acres in Kakamega Forest between 2022 and 2024.

Speaking during a cheque presentation in Nairobi, FLY 748 Head of Scheduled Services George Oduor said the initiative reflects the airline’s commitment to environmental sustainability through practical conservation measures.

“Our responsibility as FLY 748 goes beyond connecting people and destinations. Building on the restoration of 15.5 acres of Kakamega Forest, we are extending our conservation efforts to Ngong Forest, with a focus on nurturing indigenous trees and supporting long-term forest regeneration,” Oduor said.

He noted that the aviation industry has an environmental footprint, adding that forest restoration and biodiversity conservation complement the airline’s efforts to manage its carbon emissions.

“We believe that lasting environmental change requires sustained commitment and collaboration between businesses, public institutions and local communities,” he added.

748 Air Services Managing Director Moses Mwangi said the airline’s previous conservation work in Kakamega had demonstrated the importance of sustained efforts in restoring forest ecosystems.

“Our experience in Kakamega Forest has reinforced our belief that meaningful conservation requires consistency, patience and long-term stewardship,” Mwangi said.

He said the partnership with KFS and the community forest association would extend the airline’s conservation efforts to Ngong Forest, with an emphasis on protecting and nurturing trees over time.

The project will involve rehabilitating degraded land and planting indigenous tree species, with the partners expected to support the growth and survival of the trees beyond the planting stage.

Ngong Hills Metro Community Forest Association Chairman Samson Ole Kereya welcomed the initiative and called for more programmes that encourage communities to participate in forest conservation.

He said communities should be encouraged to pursue environmentally friendly and economically viable activities within forests, including beekeeping, mushroom farming and chameleon conservation, provided these do not disrupt the ecosystem.

James Roine Sululu, chairman of Ngong Hills Forest Ecotourism, also commended the airline’s contribution and pledged continued efforts to protect and nurture the planted trees to ensure their survival.

FLY 748 said it measures carbon emissions associated with its operations, including fuel consumption, as part of its environmental management efforts. The forest restoration projects complement these measures and form part of its broader commitment to voluntary climate action and biodiversity conservation.

The partnership will be followed by a tree-planting exercise scheduled for November 6, 2026, at Ngong Forest. The event is expected to bring together representatives from the aviation industry, conservation partners, community groups and other stakeholders.

The airline also plans to involve pupils from a local primary school in the exercise to promote environmental awareness and encourage young people to participate in conservation activities.

The initiative highlights efforts by private-sector organisations, public institutions and local communities to work together in restoring degraded forest land and protecting Kenya’s forest ecosystems.