Watu Wa Miti

Kenya Programme

Why plant in Kenya?

Kenya is one of the least-forested countries in Africa, with only 7% tree cover. Forest loss has led to reduced biodiversity, droughts, flash floods, crop failures, and more. All of these are exacerbated by climate change.

ITF works with community partners across Kenya to plant trees and restore degraded lands. What’s more, we aim to increase tree cover across the country in a way that is useful to local communities, giving them the means to improve their lives and prosper.

We at ITF believe that successful and sustainable tree planting depends on community involvement. Which is why all our projects are designed and run by local groups – community members solving their own landscape issues, while empowering those most vulnerable in society.

Planter in focus – Joseph Mwangi

Joseph saw trees reducing in Kenya first-hand, and wanted to take action. Working with youth groups, women’s groups, schools, and more, he founded one of ITF’s Watu Wa Miti partner organisations – Globe Gone Green. Since working with ITF, Joseph’s positive impact has grown and grown. He loves inspiring others to plant trees, and has seen many unlikely people get involved with Watu Wa Miti. He’s inspired young children to become tree planting enthusiasts, seen women increase income for their families, and helped people turn deserted land into flourishing greenery.

“It’s always exciting to revisit planted trees and find them taken care of and growing well. This shows me the people trained to plant and take care of them learnt well and took it to heart.”

“I have not seen a project like this before, this project has considered us and my life has changed.”

– Harriet Marigu, 74 from Gaturi in Kenya

About Watu Wa Miti

Kenya is where it all began. In 1922, ITF founders Richard St. Barbe and Josiah Njonjo gathered their first forest conservation group. They named it Watu Wa Miti (People of the Trees) and its legacy continues today. ITF’s current Watu Wa Miti programme encompasses our present work across Kenya, growing community led action through three prongs:

Forest restoration. By supporting Watu Wa Miti, you’re planting native tree species, chosen especially to kickstart forest re-establishment.
Agroforestry. With your support, farmers can benefit directly by planting trees alongside crops, creating a new source of income.
Empowering young environmental stewards. By donating to Watu Wa Miti, you’re partnering with schools – educating, planting, and inspiring young Kenyans to be a generation of tree ambassadors.

We’re aiming to grow 20 million trees and improve the livelihood of 50,000 households. By supporting Watu Wa Miti, you’re helping people respond to land degradation and climate shocks on a local level – where it’s needed most.