State Department for Forestry Honours WWF-Kenya CEO Mohamed Awer at Farewell Reception

On 8 December 2025, at the WWF-Kenya Headquarters in Karen, Nairobi, the Principal Secretary for the State Department for Forestry, Mr. Gitonga Mugambi, joined his colleague, Dr. Chris Kiptoo, Principal Secretary, National Treasury and Economic Planning, at a farewell reception held in honour of Mr. Mohamed Awer, Chief Executive Officer of WWF-Kenya, as he retires after a distinguished 30-year career in environmental conservation.
The event brought together senior government officials, development partners, and conservation stakeholders to celebrate Mr. Awer’s calm, humble, and transformative leadership, which has played a pivotal role in advancing forestry conservation and landscape restoration initiatives across Kenya.
Speaking during the occasion, PS Mugambi, accompanied by the Chief Conservator of Forests, Mr. Alex Lemarkoko, commended the long-standing partnership between the State Department for Forestry and WWF-Kenya. He noted that under Mr. Awer’s stewardship, WWF-Kenya supported major restoration efforts in critical ecosystems, including the Aberdares, Mau Forest Complex, Loitokitok drylands, and the Coastal Kaya forests.
The collaboration significantly advanced community forest management, restoration planning, tree nursery development, and the protection of sacred cultural heritage sites. Notably, WWF-Kenya facilitated the fencing of seven kilometres of Siongiroi Forest in Bomet County, strengthening forest protection and community engagement.
Among Mr. Awer’s landmark contributions was the development of the Kaptagat Landscape Model, now recognized as a flagship approach for integrated landscape restoration and sustainable livelihoods, and currently being replicated across the country. WWF-Kenya also played a key role in supporting the design and rollout of Kenya’s #15BillionTrees Strategy, aligning national tree-growing ambitions with global conservation and climate goals.
As Mr. Awer transitions into retirement, the State Department for Forestry reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening collaboration with WWF-Kenya. The Department expressed confidence in continued partnership under the leadership of the incoming Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Jackson Kiplagat, as he assumes this important role in advancing forest conservation, climate action, and the implementation of the #15BillionTrees Initiative.