Building climate resilience in Kitui County with Dorcas Kenya’s innovative tree-planting initiative 

Kitui County, one of Kenya’s semi-arid regions, is facing severe challenges from climate change. Rising temperatures, erratic rainfall, prolonged droughts, floods, and invasive species are taking a heavy toll on the region’s ecosystems and livelihoods. With agriculture and natural resources under increasing strain, many residents have turned to activities such as tree logging and charcoal burning, further exacerbating land degradation and deforestation. These unsustainable practices have created a vicious cycle of environmental decline, making it critical to take action. 

In response, Dorcas Kenya, in collaboration with Muangeni Rural Development Programme, launched the Kitui Climate Change Project in 2020. This initiative aims to enhance the climate resilience of communities through comprehensive interventions, such as behavior change, policy advocacy, and ecosystem restoration. The project aligns with global sustainability goals, including SDG 13 (climate action), SDG 1 (no poverty), and SDG 2 (zero hunger), promoting sustainable development practices to safeguard the future. 

Afforestation efforts through schools 

A key element of the Kitui Climate Change Project is afforestation, carried out through schools in the region. Since 2021, over 150 schools in Kitui South have participated in the tree-planting initiative, which is designed to address water scarcity challenges while fostering environmental stewardship among students. Tree planting is strategically aligned with the short rain season (October, November, December) when the climate is more stable, ensuring the newly planted trees benefit from two rainy seasons and thus have higher survival rates. 

Under the slogan “A Child, A Tree,” each student is encouraged to adopt and care for a tree for a full year. This approach not only fosters environmental responsibility among the younger generation but also ensures that the trees are well-maintained. Each school receives 100 seedlings annually and, upon successfully nurturing them, qualifies for additional seedlings in subsequent years.  

Notable success and impact 

To date, the project has seen the survival of approximately 36,000 out of 55,000 trees planted between 2021 and 2022, representing a survival rate of 65-70 per cent. Schools like Athi Primary now boast over 300 thriving trees, thanks to the commitment of students, who even carry water from home to ensure their survival during dry spells. Additionally, Dorcas has invested in infrastructure like a 50,000m³ water pan at Kiange Mixed Secondary School to provide a reliable water source during droughts. 

This afforestation initiative not only contributes to Kenya’s national goal of planting 15 billion trees by 2032 but also plays a crucial role in restoring degraded landscapes, reducing biodiversity loss, and promoting decarbonisation. By involving school children, Dorcas is inspiring the next generation of conservationists, ensuring that the fight against climate change continues for years to come. 

Through such innovative projects, Dorcas Kenya continues to foster sustainable development and climate adaptation in regions that are vulnerable, empowering communities to build a more resilient and environmentally conscious future. 

08 October 2024