The Kenya Electricity Transmission Company (KETRACO) has launched an ambitious environmental conservation programme aimed at restoring the depleted Wire Forest in Homa Bay County through a large-scale tree-planting exercise.
Speaking during the launch of the initiative in Rachuonyo , KETRACO Corporate Communications Officer Raphael Muoria said the company plans to plant 60,000 tree seedlings in the forest during the ongoing rainy season.
Muoria said the week-long exercise, which began on Monday, is being undertaken in partnership with the Wire Forest Management Association (WIFOMA), community groups, and other environmental stakeholders to improve forest cover and protect the ecosystem.
“The whole of this week, and probably in the next three days, we are here together with the Wire Forest Management Association carrying out tree planting during this rainy season,” said Muoria.
He noted that the exercise forms part of KETRACO’s broader national environmental conservation agenda, under which the company targets to plant 700,000 tree seedlings across the country within one year.
According to Muoria, Wire Forest was selected as one of the priority conservation areas because of its environmental significance and the company’s ongoing energy projects in the South Nyanza region.
He cited the recently commissioned 132 KV Sondu–Homa Bay–Awendo power transmission line, launched by President William Ruto in March 2026, as a key infrastructure project aimed at stabilising electricity supply in the region.
“And we are excited that apart from providing the community with high-voltage electricity, we are also partnering with them in environmental conservation,” he said.
During the launch, stakeholders planted 3,000 seedlings, which form part of the 60,000 seedlings expected to be planted by the end of the exercise.
Muoria assured residents that KETRACO will continue monitoring the progress of the project to ensure the seedlings survive and mature into trees. He also encouraged residents to embrace tree planting in their homes and farms to help the country achieve the national target of planting 15 billion trees by the year 2032.
The official commended the Wire Forest Community Forest Association (CFA), describing it as a strong and collaborative partner that has played a key role in safeguarding the forest.
He also acknowledged the support of local community groups and non-governmental organisations operating within the forest ecosystem, saying their involvement has strengthened conservation efforts.
Wire Forest covers approximately 387.3 hectares, an area Muoria said can be effectively rehabilitated through sustained tree planting and proper management.
Wire Forest Management Association Chairperson Christine Osunga said the association has rolled out several livelihood and environmental conservation initiatives aimed at protecting the forest while improving the welfare of surrounding communities.
Among the initiatives are beekeeping, fruit tree planting, and climate-smart agriculture projects being implemented at the household level.
Osunga said the climate-smart agriculture activities are organised into groups operating in 11 zones around the forest to enhance environmental protection and sustainable land use practices.
He assured KETRACO that the 60,000 seedlings to be planted would be properly cared for to ensure high survival rates, while also calling for continued partnership between the company and the community.
“Based on the performance of WIFOMA and KETRACO, the effort will go a long way in conserving the environment,” said Osunga.
Wire Forest Station Manager Fredrick Ndiga said various organisations have continued supporting conservation efforts in the forest and emphasised the need for proper monitoring of the newly planted trees.
Ndiga urged residents living near the forest to prevent livestock from straying into the protected areas to avoid destruction of young seedlings.
“There are several forest blocks under Wire Forest Station, including God Nyaingu with 31.57 hectares gazetted in 2017, Nyasore Forest with 26.6 hectares, Kamodi Forest with 20 hectares, and God Nyango with 34.70 hectares gazetted in 2021,” Ndiga said.
By Moseti Julius
