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Environmental advocates in Dongo Kundu say Kenya’s forest cover is not increasing because tree-planting drives often use species unsuited to local conditions, causing high mortality rates and wasting resources.
Dongo Kundu, Kenya — 2025-09-17 15:00 EAT. Environmental groups say Kenya’s national tree-planting drive risks failure because wrong species are frequently planted in unsuitable conditions, leading to high seedling mortality and wasted resources.
At a 17 September event near Mteza Bridge, activists revealed that two acres of mangroves died after the Mkandaa variety was planted in deep mud instead of the hardier Mkoko species.
Groups planting trees under President Ruto’s 15-billion-tree plan urged better community consultation before reforestation projects proceed.
Kenya aims to boost forest cover from 8.83% to 30% by 2032.
Mangroves provide marine habitats, construction materials, and crab-breeding grounds, but require species-specific soil and tidal conditions.
Maureen Kemunto, Cardinal Youth Association: Criticised groups for planting the wrong species without local advice, causing seedling losses.
Bakari Randuni, Mbuta Mazingira: Urged use of community knowledge to match tree species to local ecosystems.
Maj (rtd) Frank Anyega, Cardinal Youth Chair: Organisation plans to plant 1 million mangroves by 2026, with 632,000 already planted.
Seedling losses: Two acres of mangroves died due to species mismatch.
Target: 15 billion trees nationally by 2032; 1 million mangroves by 2026 in Dongo Kundu.
Forest cover baseline: 8.83% (Kenya Forest Service, 2024).
Climate resilience setback if tree mortality remains high.
Wasted resources in seedlings, labour, and donor funds.
Potential loss of biodiversity and marine ecosystem services.
Whether the Ministry of Environment will issue species-specific guidelines for reforestation.
How local communities will be integrated into national tree-planting plans.
Monitoring mechanisms for seedling survival rates nationwide.
Sept 2025: Mangrove planting failure reported in Dongo Kundu.
2026: Cardinal Youth Association targets 1 million mangroves.
2032: National goal to hit 30% forest cover.
Possible policy directives on species selection and ecosystem mapping.
Community-led training for volunteer groups.
Survival rates in upcoming rainy-season planting campaigns
