At OGO-LAW, THE GREEN BRIEF ADVOCATES, we recognize that the climate crisis is the most significant legal and existential challenge of our time. As environmental lawyers and advocates for sustainable development, we believe that our responsibility extends far beyond the boardroom and the courtroom. On 17th April 2026, our firm set out to Kijabe Forest to turn our core mission and vision into practical, visible action. The initiative, themed “Sustainability in Practice: Nurturing Nature”, was a collaborative effort between the firm, Kijabe Forest Trust (KFT) and the local community to plant trees and restore degraded landscapes. By planting 25,000 tree seedlings, we moved from being legal advisors to becoming active environmental stewards. This initiative served as a living testament to that goal guided by our mission “Using the power of law and policy to protect nature and uplift African communities,” and our vision “Reclaiming Africa’s wealth through the establishment of its natural resources as economic assets that benefit Africans,”
Kijabe Forest spans roughly 6,000 hectares of primary forest reserve on the edge of the Great Rift Valley. It serves as a critical water catchment area, providing essential hydrological services and clean water to several growing communities of approximately 300,000 people. Furthermore, the forest is a recognized Key Biodiversity Area as it acts as a crucial flyway for various species, it shelters threatened wildlife such as Crowned Eagle, leopards, and hyenas. It also features rich volcanic soils that offer sanctuary to diverse bird species and smaller mammals.
Historically, the forest has faced pressures from illegal logging and charcoal burning, leading to extensive degradation. Yet, amidst these pressures, the forest has shown remarkable resilience, standing as an important biological transition zone that sustains the surrounding ecosystem. In recent years, Kijabe Forest has experienced several devastating calamities. For instance:-
- On 4th December 2024, a large fire broke out, destroying approximately 8.7 hectares. #
- In late April and early May 2024, severe, prolonged rains flushed rocks, mud and debris resulted into a mudslide that swept away homes and claimed 50 lives. This tragedy set back years of restoration work and highlighted the critical importance of tree cover in preventing soil erosion and catastrophic landslides.
- In January 2025, a fire was reported but was successfully extinguished by KFT rangers, the Kenya Forest Service (KFS), and community members.
- In August 2025, another fire broke out at the edge of a restoration site, but it was quickly stopped by community scouts before it could spread beyond 1.5 hectares.
- On January 19, 2026, a significant wildfire broke out near Kenton on the far side of Old Kijabe, caused by short-circuiting from overhead high-voltage power cables. KFT and KFS teams worked throughout the day to contain it, though some areas remained dangerous due to proximity to the power lines.
Faced with these significant ecological challenges, the Kijabe Forest Trust(KFT), a community-based forest conservation organization registered in 2013, has been at the forefront of protecting and restoring the forest. KFT delivers its mission through a three-pronged strategy:-
- Engaging and training a team of community forest rangers who conduct joint patrols with the Kenya Forest Service (KFS)
- Restoring degraded sections through direct seeding, enrichment planting, fire management, and assisted natural regeneration
- Creating economic alternatives that reduce pressure on forest resources, such as promoting ecotourism and improving access to markets for non-timber forest products.
The KFT’s community ranger team has successfully brought down illegal timber harvesting from a baseline of over 13,000 trees per year to fewer than 300 trees per year. In addition to policing the forest, KFT promotes ecotourism as an income-generating activity, allowing visitors to experience the hot springs, waterfalls, and dark tunnels while generating revenue for conservation. Visitors can hike through the light vegetation and clear lines of sight, observing the breathtaking views of the Great Rift Valley and Mount Longonot.
A vital part of the Kijabe Forest conservation story is the empowerment of the surrounding community. Among the most impacted and empowered groups are local women. In the nurseries established by KFT, local women are directly involved in gathering seeds of indigenous species, such as Acacia abyssinica and germinating and caring for the saplings. They are paid for their labour, turning the forest from a resource to be illegally harvested into a sustainable economic asset that benefits their families. The seeds are sourced from within the forest itself, ensuring that the local ecosystem remains true to its indigenous origins.
At OGO-LAW, THE GREEN BRIEF ADVOCATES, we believe that environmental conservation requires active, everyday involvement. We invite you to take the initiative with us and support the Kijabe Forest Trust in reaching their tree-planting and restoration goals! Whether you choose to sponsor a native seedling, volunteer your time for a seasonal planting session, or support the community-run nurseries, your contribution makes a direct, lasting difference. Let’s uplift the local women and rangers who protect this vital ecosystem every day, and let’s ensure that the forest stands strong for the 300,000 people who depend on its waters.
Take the leap today, stand with OGO-LAW as an environmental steward, and let’s nurture nature together!
