By Eddah Waithaka
Gilbert Kamanga, National Director for World Vision Kenya, today announced the launch of a groundbreaking initiative, ‘Re-Greening for the Future’, aimed at addressing the escalating impacts of climate change through adaptive research and community-driven solutions.
The program, supported by key partners including the Kenya Forestry Research Institute (KEFRI), the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR), the University of Nairobi, and others, seeks to deliver scalable and sustainable solutions for smallholder farmers and rural communities.
Speaking at the launch event, Kamanga emphasized the urgency of the initiative. “Climate change is not a distant threat; it is here, and it is affecting millions of lives today. Through ‘Re-Greening for the Future’, we are focusing on adaptive mechanisms that provide effective solutions now and for the future. This is not just academic research—it is research for impact,” he said.
The program aligns with the Kenyan government’s ambitious goal of planting 15 billion trees to reclaim degraded land and combat climate change.
Kamanga highlighted the collaborative nature of the initiative, noting that climate change cannot be tackled by a single organization. “We are grateful to the Kenyan government for providing a platform for this work and to ACIAR for their funding. But we also call on businesses, individuals, and other agencies to join us in this fight. The future lies in our actions today,” he added.
Re-Greening for the Future builds on existing greening projects across Kenya, integrating local knowledge with scientific expertise to develop durable, community-based solutions.
The three-and-a-half-year program will focus on validating and scaling proven practices, ensuring they are replicable and impactful.
Chris Ellinger, Acting Australian High Commissioner to Kenya, also addressed the gathering, underscoring the importance of the partnership between Australia and Kenya.
“This project is research-led but deeply rooted in local knowledge. It is community-driven, with Kenyan farmers and communities at the forefront, supported by high-level institutions. This collaboration is a testament to what we can achieve when we work together for sustainable development,” Ellinger said.
The initiative comes at a critical time, as the Global South faces a significant research gap in climate adaptation. Kamanga stressed the need for research that goes beyond publication.
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“Research must drive innovation and scalability. Institutions like ACIAR are renowned for their focus on actionable, replicable solutions, and that is what we aim to achieve with this program,” he said.
Re-Greening for the Future
Represents a bold step toward a greener, more resilient Kenya. By combining scientific rigor with community engagement, the program promises to deliver tangible benefits for smallholder farmers and rural communities, ensuring a brighter future for generations to come.
As Kamanga concluded, “At World Vision, we believe in a brighter future for children. Investing in climate adaptation today is an investment in their tomorrow.”
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