Kenya Launches National Agroforestry Strategy to Restore Landscapes and Boost Livelihoods

Kenya Launches National Agroforestry Strategy to Restore Landscapes and Boost Livelihoods.

Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Forestry (left), PS Gitonga Mugambi (right) during the lunch of National Agroforestry Strategy and the Kenya Landscape and Ecosystem Restoration monitoring framework at Radisson Blu in Nairobi.

Nairobi, Kenya – September 17, 2025

The Government of Kenya, today in Nairobi, has unveiled the National Agroforestry Strategy and the Kenya Landscape and Ecosystem Restoration Monitoring Framework, marking a major milestone in the country’s journey towards environmental restoration, sustainable agriculture, and improved livelihoods.

Speaking during the launch, Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Forestry, Deborah Barasa, said the strategy feeds directly into the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA) by linking land restoration with food security, job creation, and market access.

“This is about healing our degraded lands, creating opportunities, and securing food on the table,” Barasa said. “Agroforestry is inseparable from the future of farming. Through this strategy, we are plugging into international markets, creating jobs for vulnerable communities, and charting a sustainable course for Kenya.”

The CS emphasized that the government will establish five hectares of agroforestry demonstration projects in dryland regions while working towards the ambitious target of 30 percent tree cover nationwide. She called on farmers, partners, and citizens to take ownership of the initiative.

“This is not just a government project, it is a people’s project,” Hon. Barasa noted. “We are asking every Kenyan to support farmers, embrace this strategy, and share lessons as we move forward.”

The launch also introduced the Kenya Landscape and Ecosystem Restoration Monitoring Framework, a digital tool that will track progress on restoration efforts and align Kenya with its commitments under the United Nations climate agreements. The framework also emphasizes gender and social inclusion, ensuring equitable participation across communities.

Principal Secretary for Forestry, Gitonga Mugambi, highlighted the broader vision, linking the initiative to Kenya’s 15-billion tree growing programme.

“As a country, we have a clear strategy to restore more than 38 million hectares of degraded land,” Mugambi said. “Thirty percent of the trees will be fruit trees, creating new value chains and jobs for Kenyans. But we cannot do it alone. This is a collective effort involving FAO, the Council of Governors, and other partners. For every challenge we face, there is an opportunity to transform our economy through agroforestry.”

Development partners pledged strong support. Hamisi William, FAO Assistant Representative to Kenya, said the new framework would fill critical knowledge gaps.

“For years, we have been shooting in the dark. This monitoring system will help us measure progress more effectively,” he said. “FAO has invested over KSh 12 million through the Ministry of Forestry and we are ready to fast-track implementation.”

The British High Commission also expressed its commitment through the UK Pact Programme. Robina Abuya, Climate Change Portfolio Manager, announced support for urban green forest initiatives in five counties, working in partnership with the ministry.

Stakeholders agreed that beyond ecological restoration, the new strategy represents a unique opportunity to create green jobs, strengthen rural economies, and make Kenya a regional leader in climate-smart development.

“This document can change this country,” Mugambi concluded. “It is not just about growing trees, it is about growing opportunities, growing businesses, and growing Kenya’s future."