Grassroots women in Kakamega and Vihiga counties are spearheading efforts to conserve Kakamega tropical rainforest.
The Women in Water and Natural Resources Conservation (WWANC) have adopted and planted indigenous trees on 250 hectares (617 acres) in Iloro, Kakamega, and 100 hectares (247 acres) in Kibiri, Vihiga.
WWANC chief executive Rose Wamalwa said they are planting indigenous trees.
"Women have committed themselves to conserving the environment by engaging in activities that protect our forests and support climate change mitigation efforts," she said.
Wamalwa said the project is being supported by International Tree Foundation, with more than 240,000 indigenous trees planted to restore the forest.
"We also encourage women to use eco-friendly products like energy saving cooking stoves instead of firewood," she said.
WWANC board chairperson Stella Wanjala urged the Kenya Forest Services and the community to support tree planting initiatives.
"All stakeholders should pull resources and direct it towards conserving our environment," she said.
Kakamega Forest station manager James Gichia said they are ready to partner with WWANC, ITF and other organisations to protect and conserve the forest.
"We will ensure all seedlings planted are protected. We want to achieve the targets given by our President," he said.
President William Ruto has continuously urged Kenyans to support his agenda of planting 15 billion trees by 2032.
ITF chief executive officer James Whitehead said his organisation will continue to support women-led efforts to conserve the environment.
"We are grateful as an organisation to be part of the initiative to restore and conserve the environment and improve livelihoods of the local community," he said.
