STATE DEPARTMENT FOR FORESTRY STRENGTHENS PARTNERSHIP WITH CIAT TO ADVANCE KENYA'S 15BILLION TREES PROGRAMME

The State Department for Forestry has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening strategic partnerships that support the implementation of Kenya’s ambitious 15 Billion Trees Programme following a consultative meeting with representatives of the International Center for Tropical Agriculture.

The meeting, chaired by the Director for Agroforestry Development and Commercial Forestry, Jesse Owino, reviewed progress made in implementing the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed on 25 March 2026 and explored measures to accelerate the delivery of joint initiatives.

Discussions focused on advancing the agreed areas of collaboration aimed at supporting the Government’s national tree growing and landscape restoration agenda. The partnership is anchored on seven priority areas: forestry and landscape restoration, climate change mitigation, research and policy support, community livelihoods, digital monitoring systems, capacity development, and resource mobilization.

To enhance coordination and ensure effective implementation of the partnership, the State Department for Forestry and CIAT agreed to operationalize an 11-member Joint Technical Committee that will provide oversight and guide the implementation of the agreed work programme.

The two institutions also committed to finalizing a Letter of Support recognizing the Alliance as the Technical Assistance Provider for the implementation of key forestry and landscape restoration initiatives, further strengthening collaboration in delivering Kenya’s environmental and climate objectives.

Speaking during the meeting, participants reaffirmed their shared commitment to restoring degraded landscapes, strengthening climate resilience, promoting evidence-based decision-making through research and innovation, and improving community livelihoods in support of Kenya’s target of growing 15 billion trees by 2032.

The meeting was attended by the Head of Projects and Strategic Initiatives, Peterson Kamau, Mathias Chemonges, and other representatives from CIAT.

The partnership is expected to play a key role in accelerating forest and landscape restoration efforts while contributing to Kenya’s broader climate action, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable development goals.