KENYA MARKS WORLD RAINFOREST DAY WITH RENEWED CALL TO PROTECT KAKAMEGA RAINFOREST

On 22nd June 2026 Kenya joined the global community in commemorating World Rainforest Day under the theme "The Forest Within You," with a renewed commitment to protecting the country's only tropical rainforest, the Kakamega Rainforest.
Speaking during the event, Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Forestry, Dr. Deborah M. Barasa, emphasized that healthy forests are essential for human survival, climate resilience and biodiversity conservation. She described Kakamega Rainforest as a unique natural heritage that hosts rare wildlife, diverse plant species and invaluable medicinal resources that must be safeguarded for future generations.
The CS noted that protecting rainforests is central to addressing the triple planetary crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution. She highlighted the Ministry's ongoing efforts, guided by the National Forestry Policy 2023 and the National Landscape and Ecosystem Restoration Strategy, to restore degraded ecosystems and strengthen forest governance.
The Ministry is working closely with the Principal Secretary for the State Department for Forestry, Mr. Gitonga Mugambi, Kakamega County Government, UNEP and other partners to enhance forest protection. Current interventions include strengthening the Kenya Forest Service through increased personnel and equipment, as well as tackling invasive species such as guava that threaten the Kakamega ecosystem.
The CS also reaffirmed the Government's commitment to Kenya's goal of planting 15 billion trees by 2032 and achieving 30% national tree cover, urging Kenyans to plant high-value indigenous and fruit trees that support livelihoods, restore landscapes and enhance climate resilience.
As the world reflected on the theme "The Forest Within You," Kenyans were encouraged to embrace environmental stewardship and play an active role in conserving forests for present and future generations.