Prosopis juliflora, known in Kenya as mathenge, is tightening its hold across East Africa. First introduced decades ago as a climate-resilient tree to curb soil erosion, the plant has transformed into one of the region’s most destructive invasive species. Kenya has long battled its thorny thickets and livestock deaths. Now Ethiopia is facing a similar crisis as the plant spreads deeper into its drylands.
In Ethiopia’s Afar region, families describe hardships familiar to northern Kenya. Mathenge grows fast and forms dense, almost impenetrable thickets. The thorns block roads, swallow grazing fields, and force communities to abandon traditional routes.
Livestock often feed on its sweet pods, unaware of the danger. The pods can clog their mouths and digestive systems, leading to painful deaths. For pastoralists, a lost animal is more than a loss of income—it is a blow to identity, stability, and survival.
Scientists warn that the threat goes beyond thorny branches and livestock poisoning. Mathenge’s deep roots allow it to draw water from far below the soil surface—water that other plants and communities desperately need. In drought-prone regions, this creates harsher conditions. Native plants die off, grazing lands shrink, and pastoral communities face even greater vulnerability.
Satellite observations and ecological models show the plant could expand further across Ethiopia as temperatures rise. Hotter, drier conditions make more land suitable for its growth. Without intervention, mathenge could invade new districts, putting more people and livestock at risk and accelerating land degradation in fragile ecosystems.
Experts say solutions exist if implemented early and at scale. One promising approach tested in Kenya and Ethiopia involves mechanically uprooting the plant. To succeed, the entire root crown must be removed at least half a meter below ground. When done correctly, it prevents the plant from resprouting.
Once cleared, the land is quickly put into productive use through farming or fodder production. Continuous use prevents mathenge from returning and gives communities a chance to rebuild livelihoods.
Although labor-intensive, communities who have tried the method prefer it because the land becomes usable again. Demonstration sites are critical, allowing people to see results firsthand and encouraging wider adoption. Scientists recommend expanding this sustainable land management model with community training and government support.
Kenya provides another example. The country adopted a National Prosopis Strategy in 2023 to coordinate control, restoration, and policy action. The strategy outlines how to map infestations, remove plants, introduce safe alternatives, and monitor regrowth. Researchers believe Ethiopia and other affected countries could benefit from similar national frameworks backed by funding and long-term planning.
Beyond removal, scientists stress the importance of choosing the right species to restore degraded land. Fast-growing exotics like mathenge may seem appealing during droughts but often create bigger problems later. Instead, experts recommend restoring native grasses, shrubs, and drought-tolerant trees that protect soil without overwhelming ecosystems. These plants support biodiversity, require less water, and provide natural fodder for livestock.
Technology is helping too. Some research teams use satellite imagery, drones, and machine-learning tools to track the plant’s spread more accurately. This allows governments and communities to target control efforts where they are most effective, rather than battling blindly across vast landscapes.
For communities already struggling under climate shocks, mathenge’s spread feels like yet another battle. But with coordinated action, science-backed solutions, and sustained support, East Africa can reclaim invaded lands and introduce safer, more sustainable green cover. Resilience depends not just on planting trees, but on planting the right ones.
