Baraget residents in Kuresoi South are appealing to the government through the Kenya Forest Service (KFS) to embrace the Shamba system, an agroforestry approach where local communities cultivate food crops alongside tree seedlings on government-owned forest land.
Speaking at Mosaika village during the afforestation drive organised by Youths for Green Action Kenya in partnership with Victoria Group Furnitures and Egerton University, residents led by Richard Bett and Benson Rotich noted that it is only through a properly managed Shamba system that the community will be able to manage and embrace the forest for a better ecosystem.
Bett, a Baraget village elder, said the community has partnered with youths and students from Egerton University to plant 200,000 trees in Baraget forest to restore the degraded ecosystem.
Bett attributed the change in weather patterns to massive deforestation in the region. “In recent times our region has faced a change in weather patterns due to deforestation. With this kind of partnership we are assured that our region will receive enough rainfall to support agriculture and improve food security,” Bett affirmed.
He applauded youths’ efforts in championing 30 percent tree cover and aligning with President Ruto’s directive of planting 15 billion trees by 2032.
According to Rotich, a resident, the Shamba system remains vital in the afforestation of Baraget forest as residents will monitor the progress of trees just as they cultivate their crops.
“Kenyans have become increasingly aware of the benefits of protecting our forests and are suspicious of any activities in and around the forest. But there is nothing suspicious or underhanded about PELIS. It is an above-board and proven strategy to improve forest cover and its success is well documented,” said Rotich.
Directors of Victoria Group Furnitures, led by Desmond Mukolwe and Daisy Akemi, lauded the drive, noting that through such partnerships they will be able to meet their one million trees by 2027 as an organisation focused on beautifying the environment for sustainability.
Design Gallery Chief Operating Officer Desmond Mukolwe said the organisation has joined hands with youths in an ambitious environmental conservation campaign aimed at restoring the degraded Baraget forest through planting 200,000 trees.
He noted that the initiative is part of the organisation’s broader commitment to environmental sustainability and community empowerment.
Mukolwe said the organisation strongly believes environmental conservation is one of the most impactful ways of giving back to society, especially at a time when the country is grappling with climate change, deforestation and unpredictable weather patterns.
“As an organisation, by the beginning of this year we had already planted 705,000 trees and by the end of 2026 we are targeting close to 900,000 trees,” Mukolwe affirmed. “Our main goal is to increase tree cover, restore degraded ecosystems and make the environment greener and healthier for future generations,” he added.
The sentiment was echoed by Denis Asiya, CEO of Youth for Green Action Kenya, a youth-led organisation mobilising young people to help achieve the 15 billion tree national goal.
Young people have emerged as the backbone of Kenya’s plan to grow 15 billion trees by 2032, with experts saying their energy and innovation are critical in restoring forest cover and combating climate change.
Students from Egerton University joined Youths for Green Action Kenya (YGAK) in the restoration drive that will see 200,000 trees planted in the degraded Baraget forest ecosystem in Nakuru County, aimed at reviving shrinking forest cover, restoring biodiversity and mitigating climate impacts.
The initiative seeks to breathe new life into the once-thriving Baraget ecosystem, which has faced degradation due to human activities and environmental pressures, threatening its role as a critical water catchment and wildlife habitat.
According to Asiya, young people are more informed about climate change and environmental conservation and possess the energy and creativity needed to champion large-scale tree planting in their communities.
“We target youths because they understand climate action and incorporate their energy into tree planting activities across Kenya,” said Asiya.
He noted that destruction of forests has contributed to drying rivers and water sources, worsening climate impacts and environmental degradation.
Julius Kilembe, Nakuru County Director of Meteorological Services, said the region is currently experiencing heavy rainfall that will support the survival and growth of newly planted trees.
He commended stakeholders for restoring Baraget forest, saying it will help reverse climate change effects in the area.
Kenya’s forest cover stands at 8.3 per cent, or 5.3 million hectares and tree cover at 12.13 per cent, or 7.3 million hectares. An estimated 2.6 million hectares are under KFS, while the rest is on private and community land.
About 10,000 hectares are under PELIS, where farmers can earn up to Sh300,000 per year depending on the crops. Experts say PELIS contributes to food security, income generation and forest restoration goals.
Climate change is shifting species ranges and weather patterns, requiring urgent global intervention, with afforestation being one key solution.
By Absalom Namwalo
