The Kenya Development Corporation (KDC) has joined Presidential National Tree Planting and Growing campaign by partnering with the Kenya Forest Service (KFS) to plant and nurture trees in Dundori Forest, Nakuru County.
The three-year KDC project will involve planting indigenous trees such as Moringa and Podo is in line with the Government Jaza Miti initiative to plant 15 billion trees in the next 10 years ending in 2032.
The partnership seeks to restore the biodiversity of the degraded Dundori Forest by replanting local species and engaging local communities in efforts to restore and protect the forest.
The corporation promised to elevate the country’s tree cover from 12% to 30% and restoration of forest cover to 10.6 million hectares by 2032 through its partnership with KFS.
KDC is a State Corporation established in 2020 for the purpose of promoting economic development by providing development finance, infrastructure finance business support and advisory services to medium and large-scale enterprises, infrastructure projects and commercial undertakings in the target sector in Kenya and elsewhere.
KDC Acting Managing Director, Norah Ratemo said the tree-planting exercise was part of a larger effort to restore and preserve the forest, combat land degradation, and enhance local biodiversity.
Speaking during the tree planting activity, she said the Corporation was committed to planting more trees, adopting sustainable practices, and promoting ecological balance in Kenya.
“This tree planting initiative exemplifies our unwavering alignment with the government’s vision of expanding Kenya’s forest cover,” she said.
Dundori Forest is part of the six western forest blocks of Nakuru County and is also part of the larger Mau Forest Complex Water Tower.
Mau Forest Complex is the most important Water Tower in Kenya that supports millions of livelihoods.
“The primary objective of this partnership is to restore the ecological balance and enhance communities’ resilience to climate change,” added Ratemo.
She said the initiative will also support water security, as forests play a crucial role in regulating water cycles and reducing soil erosion.
