After witnessing decades of environmental degradation at Geta Forest Reserve located in the Aberdare Ranges of Nyandarua County, residents have decided to change the narrative, working to restore and conserve the forest.
The forest had been plagued by illegal activities such as charcoal burning, unauthorised wood and honey harvesting and encroachment, which left it severely degraded.
These destructive activities had repercussions for the surrounding communities.
Ann Wachuka, the treasurer of the CFA, and Mr Daniel Mwaura, the chairman, erect an electric fence on October 2,2024. The fence protects Sophia, a section of Geta Forest in Aberdare ecosystem, from encroachers. Mercy Koskei I Nation Media Group
Water springs that once provided reliable sources dried up, forcing residents to walk long distances in search of the commodity. Among the most affected areas was Sophia, a section of Geta Forest Reserve that did not have an electric fence, leaving it vulnerable.
But in 2022, the community decided to take action.
At a public gathering organised by local chiefs, residents established a Community Forest Association (CFA) under the Kenya Forest Service at the Geta Forest Station.
They later elected Daniel Mwaura as their chairperson to lead conservation and rehabilitation efforts.
Mr Mwaura explained that the CFA’s first priority was uniting the community and educating them about the importance of forest conservation.
“We started by educating people on why the forest matters and over time, they started to have a sense of ownership and take responsibility for its protection,” he said.
The CFA’s membership has grown significantly from less than 500 members initially to 3,600 today, with more people joining daily, notes Mr Mwaura.
Mr Mwaura, who oversees five forest blocks, each with its own leader, says they have made strides in reviving the forest.
“Our fathers didn’t know the value of the forest, and they often cut down trees for timber, especially cedars. We, however, want to leave a legacy for future generations,” he told Healthy Nation.
To curb illegal activities, the CFA is introducing a new identity card (ID) system to differentiate legitimate forest users from illegal loggers and intruders.
Mr Mwaura explained that the ID will display the holder’s photo, name, national ID number, location and the block they belong to, with signatures from both the forester and the CFA chairperson.
The cards, which cost members Sh100, will grant regulated access to the forest, helping authorities quickly identify authorised users.
According to the group’s treasuser Ann Wacuka, anyone found violating CFA policies faces strict penalties, including expulsion and legal action.
“If a member is caught doing illegal activities, their ID is canceled and they face consequences,” she notes. The CFA also has a tree nursery which supplies seedlings to members to plant on their own land, further supporting the conservation mission.
The lobby’s efforts are supported by the Rhino Ark Charitable Trust, a nonprofit working in the Aberdare ecosystem through funding from the Darwin Initiative.
Reuben Mwangi, a field officer with Rhino Ark, said the organisation has already produced the first batch of CFA identity cards. In collaboration with Kenya Forest Service, they plan to distribute the first phase of cards to 2,000 members across 15 divisions within Geta Forest.
To support reforestation, Rhino Ark has also established a nursery with a capacity of 100,000 indigenous trees, currently holding over 71,000 seedlings.
In August, after extensive bush clearing with community help, 16,851 seedlings were planted in Sophia; covering an area of 35 hectares. Additionally, Rhino Ark funded a 12-kilometer electric fence around Sophia to prevent human-wildlife conflicts and discourage encroachment, with 7.6 kilometres completed so far.
Kenya Forest Service Compliance Commander at Geta Forest Station Inspector Peter Kiana emphasised that the new ID cards would enhance their patrols by making it easier to identify lawful forest users.
The official praised the association’s impact, noting that arrests of poachers have declined since the CFA began monitoring forest activities.
“When we patrol, it’s essential to know who our true allies are. Having a CFA ID shows you are committed to conservation and are our friend.”
Media House: Nation
Published by: Mercy Koskei