By embracing clean cooking solutions, schools in Kenya could lead the way in both environmental and financial sustainability. The shift from firewood to clean energy doesn’t just save trees—it saves money, improves health, and ensures that future generations will inherit a healthier, greener planet.
By Bernard Gitau @benagitau Kenya is depleting forest covers in Tanzania and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) as it struggles to meet its demand for wood products. There is also reported increase in the importation of timber from Angola’s Cabinda area due to the construction boom in Nairobi and environs. According to the 2024 Forest Status Report, Kenya faces an acute shortage of wood amounting to 16.5 million tonnes with the current supply and demand projections showing that the country will face acute shortages of wood in the near future as the deficit has exceeded 50 percent of the national supply.The deficits indicate that wood product consumers, especially in the construction industry, have to rely on imports, especially of hardwood for furniture making and softwood for construction activities or use of substitutes such as metals and plastics in various construction activities. The report further shows that charcoal deficits is almost at 50% of the national supply: “This is therefore an indication that domestic wood fuel users have to resort to unsustainable sources or deplete growing stocks, which subsequently lead to considerable deforestation.” The report paints a grim picture of the loss and degradation of local forest cover which worsen impacts on already vulnerable populations with direct repercussions on livelihoods. Degraded land in Kenya is estimated at 21.6% with about 12,000 hectares of forest land converted to other uses or lost through natural causes every year. With such massive degradation and deforestation, Kenya’s 15 billion greening campaign remains a mirage as deforestation rate is higher than growing of trees.
Kenya is eyeing Sh 1 billion for its role in offsetting an estimated 2.5 million tonnes of carbon dioxide. According to the Forest Status Report – 2024, Kenya has an estimated 6.4 million acres of gazetted public forests and 2.7 million acres of forests in community land.
Kenya is home to 2,000 fungi and bacteria, a Forest Status Report 2024 reveals. This makes Kenya to rank eighth globally among the ten most biodiverse nations, with over 35,000 species of flora and fauna ranging from mountains, forests, rangelands, arid lands, croplands, and urban areas to marine and inland waters.
The National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) has urged private businesses to invest in Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs) as the country prepares to shift away from traditional dumping sites.
Ecobora www.ecobora.co is a green energy company whose vision is to empower local communities using green energy as a catalyst for energy poverty alleviation. “We started seeing the impact we had on families and communities where our wood pellets began replacing collecting and using smoky firewood in rural homes,” says Abuga.
By Wanja Mwaniki Urgent Action Needed to Limit Global Warming to 1.5°C The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has declared a climate emergency, warning that without significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, global warming could exceed 2.9°C this century, leading to catastrophic consequences for life on Earth. According to the 2024 UNEP Emissions Gap Report, the world is at a critical juncture: “Limit global warming to 1.5°C, struggle to adapt to 2°C, or endure catastrophic consequences at 2.6°C and beyond.” The report highlights the urgent need for nations to commit to and achieve substantial reductions in greenhouse gas emissions in their next round of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), due for submission in early 2025 ahead of COP30. To keep global warming within the 1.5°C limit, emissions must be cut by 42% by 2030 and 57% by 2035. Failure to enhance ambition in these new NDCs and to act immediately could result in a temperature increase of 2.6-3.1°C over the century, with severe impacts on people, the planet, and economies. UN Secretary-General António Guterres emphasized that adapting to climate change is as crucial as reducing emissions, stating, “Adaptation cannot be the neglected half of the climate equation.” To mitigate the worst impacts of climate change, the UN outlines several key actions: Climate change is exacerbating food insecurity, increasing the risk of flooding, and contributing to a global food crisis. In 2022, climate change and conflict were the primary drivers of acute food insecurity for nearly 174 million people worldwide. Immediate and decisive action is essential to avert the most devastating effects of climate change.
In Logorate village, nestled within the vast, arid landscape of Samburu County, Hellen Nasha aged 46, tends to her farm, a striking contrast to the dusty plains surrounding it. Her 9.5-acre plot is teeming with life—lush rows of vegetables flourish under the semi-arid sun. Once a pastoralist relying on livestock like most of her Samburu community, Hellen is embracing farming to combat the devastating effects of climate change.
The luxury of an uninterrupted power supply is often taken for granted by many, especially urban dwellers. Ironically, some residents living in counties that host Kenya’s supply remain the most underprivileged.
One young Kenyan, Truphena Muthoni, has made it her mission to spread the word about the health benefits of tree hugging. At just 21 years old, she knows firsthand the power of connecting with nature, especially after overcoming a mental health disorder.
