Rooted in Resilience – The Role of Indigenous Trees in Kenya’s Climate Future
Across Kenya, the conversation on climate change continues to grow louder. From flash floods in cities to prolonged droughts in rural areas, we are witnessing nature’s urgent call to restore balance. One of the simplest yet most powerful answers lies in a familiar practice: planting trees. But not just any trees—indigenous trees.
Why Indigenous Trees Matter:
Indigenous trees are species that have naturally occurred in a region for generations. In Kenya, some of these include trees like mukau, mugumo, prunus africana, and croton megalocarpus. Unlike fast-growing exotic species, indigenous trees are deeply woven into the health of our ecosystems.
They support: Soil regeneration, Water catchment conservation, Biodiversity by providing food and shelter to native animals and insects, Climate regulation through long-term carbon capture
Planting exotic species such as eucalyptus in riparian areas, for example, may give fast shade or timber, but they deplete groundwater and disrupt native habitats. That’s why CAI prioritizes indigenous species in all our restoration efforts.
CAI’s Work on the Ground
Through our Indigenous Tree Planting Campaigns in parts of Bungoma, Trans-Nzoia, West Pokot and Turkana counties, CAI is working with local communities, youth, and women’s groups to:
Identify degraded land and riparian zones.
Mobilize tree planting activities at schools, churches, and farms.
Train communities on nursery establishment and tree care.
Follow up on tree survival rates, ensuring sustainability.
One example is the partnership with school-based environmental clubs in Kimilili and Kwanza, where students not only plant trees but also adopt them, naming and caring for each seedling like a friend.
A Cultural and Environmental Legacy
Beyond their environmental value, indigenous trees hold deep cultural meaning. Trees like mugumo are sacred to some Kenyan communities, symbolizing unity, rain, and life. By protecting these trees, we’re not just restoring the land—we’re preserving identity.
What You Can Do
Join CAI’s tree planting drives in your county.
Donate seedlings or resources to our Indigenous Tree Program.
Educate others on the importance of planting native species.
Avoid planting water-thirsty exotic trees near rivers or wetlands.
Together, let us grow a Kenya rooted in resilience,restoration, and responsibility.
