Communities in North Rift benefit from GZDSP

Students of St. Agatha Mokwo Secondary School demonstrate how biogas is used in their laboratory

The KFS Deputy Commandant Mr. Alex Lemarkoko addressing members of the public in Marakwet

The GZDSP Project Manager Mr. Jerome Mwanzia addresses the same gathering

The Kenya Forest Service (KFS) through the African Development Bank funded Green Zones Development Support Project (GZDSP) is supporting community income generating activities in order to alleviate poverty levels in the community as well as reduce pressure on forests.

The project has put up a biogas production unit and fishponds at St. Agatha Mokwo Girls Secondary. The biogass is being used in the school for cooking while the fish is sold to the surrounding community apart from being consumed by the students.

In a recent visit to monitor various activities being sponsored by the project in the North Rift Conservancy, the KFS Deputy Commandant Mr. Alex Lemarkoko hailed the support being offered to the community saying that it will go a long way in ensuring that forests are secured from destruction.  Mr. Lemarkoko was accompanied by the GZDSP Project Manager Mr. Jerome Mwanzia who assured the communities of continued support. He encouraged the farmers to practice agro-forestry saying that it will boost their incomes while at the same time conserving the environment.

The team later visited Marakwet where they presided over the launch of the Embolamai Self Help Group and donated beehives to local Community Forest Associations (CFA). They also visited Keiyo Forest where GZDSP is putting up a fire tower.  

Story and pictures by Caroline Kahuria