WANANCHI OPINION: If Kenya is serious about its 15 billion trees ambition by 2032, it must walk the talk

WANANCHI OPINION: If Kenya is serious about its 15 billion trees ambition by 2032, it must walk the talk

File image of a tree planting exercise at Kaptagat Forest

By Job Mwangi

If the government, led by President William Ruto, is serious about its 15 billion trees ambition by 2032, it must walk the talk. There is no room for empty promises. According to Global Forests Watch, Kenya is losing its forests at an alarming rate.

From 2001 to 2023, we have lost 386,000 hectares of tree cover, which represents a staggering 12% decrease since 2000. This deforestation has released 189 million tonnes of CO₂e, driving climate change and threatening the future of our children, our wildlife, and our nation. We cannot ignore these facts.

The destruction of Kenya’s vital forests is an ongoing crisis that is not only eroding our environmental health but also severely undermining our biodiversity and climate stability.

Forests are essential to the health of the planet, providing crucial services such as carbon sequestration, water filtration, and maintaining biodiversity. However, recent developments have placed some of Kenya’s most iconic and irreplaceable ecosystems — such as the Aberdare, Karura, and Suam forests — under growing threat.

These vital habitats, which have taken centuries to evolve, are now at risk due to projects being implemented under the guise of “progress,” projects that fail to recognize the long-term ecological consequences.

Among the most concerning examples is the government’s proposal to allocate 50 acres of Suam Forest in Trans Nzoia County for a border town and housing project to support a one-stop border post with Uganda. On the surface, this may seem like a step toward enhancing regional trade and infrastructure, but the reality is far more complex.

The Suam Forest is part of the important forest cover that sustains the ecosystem of the entire region. This proposal threatens to erode the integrity of this valuable forest, putting countless species at risk and depriving communities of essential resources such as clean water and fertile land.

What is more troubling is the government’s apparent disregard for the long-term ecological consequences of such actions. The environmental costs of clearing forests for short-term development far outweigh the supposed economic gains.

At the same time, the situation in Karura Forest, one of the world’s most famous urban forests and a symbol of Kenya’s commitment to environmental conservation is also deeply troubling.

Despite the Environment and Land Court injunction temporarily halting plans to excise 51.64 acres of Karura Forest

for the Kiambu Road expansion, the government’s ongoing activities within the forest are cause for concern. Logging has continued within this important green space, and the government has offered justifications for these actions that seem to be in direct contradiction to its stated commitment to environmental protection.

The contradictions between the government’s words and actions are widening, revealing a disconnect between its environmental rhetoric and the harsh reality of its policies.

If we are truly committed to preserving Karura Forest as a precious urban oasis, such practices should never be allowed to continue.

These forests are not just trees; they are life-giving ecosystems. They are the lungs of our nation, offering clean air, water, and shelter for wildlife. But they do more than that — they protect our rivers, support biodiversity, regulate our climate, and provide us with the resources needed for a sustainable future.

When forests disappear, our rivers dry up, wildlife loses their homes, and local communities are left vulnerable. The destruction of our forests is not just an environmental issue — it is a human rights issue, a climate justice issue, and an economic issue.

At a time when we are facing the unprecedented challenge of global climate change, we must ask ourselves: what kind of legacy do we want to leave for future generations? The alarming loss of forest cover in Kenya is a sign that we are on the wrong path. If the government is truly committed to achieving the ambition of planting 15 billion trees by 2032, it cannot afford to ignore the destruction of the forests we already have.

We must protect and restore our existing forests, not destroy them in the name of development. It is not enough to simply plant trees — we must ensure that those trees have a safe and healthy environment in which to thrive.

If we are to meet the ambitious goal of planting 15 billion trees, we must start by prioritizing the protection of our existing forests. We cannot afford to sacrifice our natural heritage for short-term gains or poorly thought-out projects.

It is essential that Kenya’s leadership, including President William Ruto, demonstrates genuine commitment to environmental protection by halting the destruction of vital ecosystems like Karura, Suam, and Aberdare. These forests must be preserved and protected for future generations, and the government must set a positive example by taking meaningful action to stop their degradation.

Now is the time for action. The scale of deforestation we are witnessing is not just a local issue — it is a global crisis that requires immediate and concerted efforts from all of us.

If we continue on this path, the consequences will be irreversible. The protection of our forests is not just about the environment; it is about the health and well-being of every Kenyan, today and in the future. It is about safeguarding our livelihoods, our water sources, and the beauty of our land.

Let us come together and stand firm in defense of these irreplaceable ecosystems. We have the power to make a difference.

Together, we can restore our forests, protect our environment, and ensure that Kenya thrives for generations to come.

Let us demand the protection of Karura, Aberdare, Suam, and all our national treasures. Let us hold our leaders accountable. Let us make sure the ambition to plant 15 billion trees becomes a reality, not just a slogan.


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