Kenya is at a crucial stage in its environmental journey, with increasing urgency to restore degraded landscapes and enhance climate resilience. UK PACT (Partnering for Accelerated Climate Transitions) is actively supporting these efforts by facilitating collaboration among government agencies, research institutions, and conservation organizations. These partnerships aim to deliver sustainable, large-scale forest and landscape restoration solutions across the country.
One of the key initiatives is a project led by the Centre for International Forestry Research and World Agroforestry (CIFOR-ICRAF), in partnership with the Kenya Forestry Research Institute (KEFRI), Kenya Forest Service (KFS), and the county governments of Taita Taveta and Makueni. This project promotes nature-based solutions to reverse land degradation and follows a multi-stakeholder, holistic approach to restoration.
The importance of integrating forest and landscape restoration into long-term planning was emphasized during a recent stakeholder dialogue. Local government support, particularly from Taita Taveta County, demonstrates the recognition that environmental sustainability is interconnected with social and economic development. The initiative seeks to move beyond planning to implementation, aligning national and county-level efforts into practical, impactful restoration actions.
The project focuses on three core areas to ensure effective outcomes. First, data-driven restoration planning uses spatial analysis and research to identify priority areas for intervention. By mapping degraded landscapes and evaluating restoration potential, partners provide scientific input for informed policymaking. Second, scaling up nature-based solutions involves working with farmers and communities to adopt agroforestry, climate-smart agriculture, and sustainable land-use practices that combine conservation with economic viability. Third, strengthening governance and policy alignment ensures that restoration strategies are embedded in national climate policies, land-use frameworks, and investment plans.
A key goal of the project is to ensure that these restoration efforts extend beyond the initial implementation phase and become part of long-term, scalable strategies. To support this, UK PACT facilitates the development of knowledge-sharing platforms, helps mobilize resources and technical expertise, and encourages collaboration between public and private sectors. These actions aim to create sustainable business models around reforestation and regenerative land use.
The project’s growing institutional backing and the endorsement of local leaders signal strong momentum toward embedding restoration in Kenya’s broader climate and economic strategies. With UK PACT’s support, Kenya is advancing a model of environmental restoration that combines innovation, policy integration, and community engagement to build a resilient and sustainable future.
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