Restoring Nature, Strengthening Communities: Launching a New Era of Restoration Through FOLAREP
Story by: Kelvin Okumu and Robin Chacha, Researchers working at CIFOR-ICRAF's Soil-Plant Spectral Diagnostics Laboratory
Restoring landscapes and ecosystems has become crucial for combating climate change at local, national, regional and global levels. Different contexts require tailored approaches, and in Kenya, this means addressing the severe land degradation that impacts more than 30% of the country’s land, threatening the livelihoods and food security of more than 12 million people.
In 2023, the Kenyan Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Forestry developed a national strategy, the Forest and Landscape Restoration Plan (FOLAREP) to apply nature-based solutions to conserve forests and combat land degradation. Forest conservation offers a highly effective carbon capturing sink and maintains biodiversity and other ecosystem services. The framework contributes to national and global restoration goals, such as the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and the United Nations Framework Convention for Climate Change (UNFCCC), underpinned by a systematic monitoring framework co-developed with CIFOR-ICRAF.
CIFOR-ICRAF has been working to develop county-specific plans for Makueni and Taita-Taveta counties in partnership with local governments, the Food and Agriculture Organization and the African Wildlife Foundation through the UKPACT Nature based solutions project funded by the UK government.
While fulfilling the global agenda on climate resilience, Taita Taveta and Makueni counties have both taken significant steps toward environmental conservation with the launch of their Forest and Landscape Restoration Plans; each initiative focuses on restoring degraded landscapes while addressing pressing local environmental challenges.
On June 5th, 2025, during World Environment Day celebrations in Makueni, the FOLAREP was launched as a County Action Plan for Restoration, to guide long-term investments in restoring degraded ecosystems and increasing forest and tree cover across the County.
On June 17th World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought, The Taita Taveta FOLAREP was launched with the ambitious target of restoring 226,420 hectares of degraded land.
The plans include a clear implementation framework which includes the coordination, resource mobilization plan and a monitoring and evaluation matrix for inclusive restoration of degraded landscape, protecting natural resources, and supporting livelihoods through green jobs.
These are comprehensive plans which were developed through multi stakeholder participation and County government support. The FOLAREP action plans support preparation and implementation according to the County’s regulations and policy frameworks and builds on ongoing restoration programs and initiatives. They explore investment opportunities and provide greater involvement of the private sector.
The restoration framework identifies priority landscapes with the potential for restoration including croplands, rangelands, forests and wetlands, and describes the restoration opportunities that address both ecological and social economic needs. These include afforestation and reforestation, and agroforestry on croplands.
Stakeholder Insights
Makueni County Governor Mutula Kilonzo acknowledged the partnership and presence of ICRAF and FAO, as well as the support from UKPACT, and commended the commitment to environmental resilience. He signed the document to launch it as a County Action Plan for Restoration, emphasizing that it will guide long-term investments in restoring degraded ecosystems and increasing forest and tree cover across the County.
The Governor of Taita Taveta County Andrew Mwadime underscored the significance of the #FOLAREP, noting that it will serve as a critical roadmap in restoring degraded lands and strengthening climate resilience within the county. He reaffirmed the county’s commitment by signing the plan into an official county action plan. He lauded the collaborative efforts by World Agroforestry (ICRAF), the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO), African Wildlife Foundation (AWF), and the support through the UKPACT Nature-Based Solutions project funded by the UK government.
“The launch of the Forest and Landscape Restoration Plan (FOLAREP) in Taita Taveta County marks a milestone in our commitment to land restoration and is a people-centered movement to restore over 226,420 hectares of degraded landscapes and forests across the county by the year 2032. We now invite the support of development partners to actualize the interventions such as promotion of agroforestry, silvopastoral systems, natural regeneration, protection of water catchments and most importantly empower our communities to become stewards of their own landscapes. ”
“This comprehensive plan represents a major milestone for Makueni county, aiming to integrate cross-sectoral efforts and stakeholder engagement to ensure long-term impact. Through coordinated implementation, the FOLAREP will contribute meaningfully to both climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts, while also enhancing livelihoods and preserving vital ecosystems.”
To engage in this process, or for more information please reach out to:
Dr Leigh Ann Winowiecki
Project principal investigator; Global Research Lead: Soil and Land Health, CIFOR-ICRAF; Nairobi, Kenya
