Deputy Vice Chancellor, Planning Research and Innovation, Prof. Charles Mutai addressing participants during the meeting.
Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (MMUST) is set to partner with the National Environment Trust Fund (NETFUND) to restore the degraded sections of the Kakamega Forest. This was revealed today, 17th January 2023, during a bilateral meeting steered by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Planning Research and Innovation, Prof. Charles Mutai with a team from NETFUND. The project will be launched in February, 2023.
Speaking during the meeting, Prof. Mutai acknowledged that MMUST is ready to partner with NETFUND in the noble exercise of rehabilitating the Kakamega Forest.
“This partnership will contribute to stimulating investment and policy initiatives that promote the Green Economy in Kenya. Greening initiative is our area of interest. MMUST has diverse expertise that will aid the conservation of the forest. It is our mandate as a University to improve the livelihoods of the community,” stated Prof. Mutai.
Concurring with Prof. Mutai, the Associate Professor of Applied Environmental Science (Industrial Pollution Management), Prof. Stanley Omuterema noted that the collaboration will enable the conservation of endangered medicinal species which will be done through the establishment of tree nurseries. Prof. Omuterema was representing the Director of Corporate Communications and Marketing.
Prof. Stanley Omuterema (speaking) and the Director, Research and Postgraduate Support, Prof. Peter Bukhala during the meeting.
Additionally, the Director, Research and Postgraduate Support, Prof. Peter Bukhala reiterated that there is a need to conserve the forest to curb the threat of losing the indigenous forest resources and leaving the land susceptible to erosion. He added that MMUST is ready to partner with NETFUND in matters of research.
Presenting a brief of the partnership dubbed ‘Kakamega Forest Conservation and Fencing Project’, Ms. Gloria Makau from NETFUND stated that this is a systematic way to restore degraded areas and urged partners to come on board for this initiative.
“National Environment Trust Fund intends to mobilize resources to fence the remaining 102 km by engaging stakeholders to seek their support. NETFUND will be organizing tree-planting activities together with the Community Forest Association within the forest. The seedlings will be procured from the communities around to support their economic livelihoods. This will create a system that is not dependable to the forest,” she highlighted.
Notably, the other members of NETFUND present included; Mr. Benson Kirorei and Mr. Daniel Odongo. Ms. Makau.
The Kakamega Forest is under threat due to pressure on forest resources from adjacent communities to supplement their livelihoods. This project seeks to enhance the conservation and management of the Kakamega. It will also spur ecotourism development that supports the social economic growth of the region.
By Linet Owuor
