Cherangany Hills Forest Restoration Opportunity Assessment and Mapping Report, 2025

The Cherangany Hills Forest ecosystem is one of Kenya’s most vital ecological landscapes, providing essential services, supporting biodiversity, and sustaining the livelihoods of bordering and downstream communities. However, the ecological integrity of this important ecosystem is threatened by deforestation, land degradation and climate change, among other challenges. This report is an outcome of a collaborative effort aimed at understanding the current state of the landscape and identifying practical, science-derived restoration opportunities. The report is organized into five chapters. Chapter 1 outlines the rationale and objectives of conducting the restoration opportunities assessment and mapping exercise for the Cherangany Hills Forest landscape. It also introduces the Restoration Opportunity Assessment Methodology (ROAM) that was used in this study. Chapter 2 presents a synthesis of the baseline conditions, identifies the key drivers of degradation, and reviews the institutional and policy frameworks that support forest restoration. In Chapter 3, the participatory assessment methods used in this study are presented, emphasizing the involvement of stakeholders. Chapter 4 highlights the key findings, including: • Land Use and Land Cover (LULC) changes from 1994 to 2023 and projections for future scenarios. • Areas identified for restoration. • Financial analyses of restoration efforts. • An evaluation of the impact of restoration on ecosystem services. • A summary of potential sources of funding for restoration efforts Chapter 5 present conclusions and actionable recommendations for stakeholders to drive the restoration process forward. Overall, this report provides a guiding framework for policymakers, conservationists, local communities, and other stakeholders to pursue targeted restoration interventions. Cherangany Hills Forest restoration journey is a shared responsibility among national and county governments, conservation agencies, local communities, and development partners. This report is a valuable resource for decision-making, supporting Kenya’s commitments to national and global environmental goals, including the Bonn Challenge, AFR100, and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). We extend our sincere gratitude to all stakeholders, researchers and community members who contributed their knowledge, time and insights to make this assessment a reality. We hope this report inspires action, innovation, and enduring partnerships for the restoration of Cherangany Hills Forest.

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A report

Citation

Paul K. Muoria1 , Rebecca Karanja1 , Paul Gacheru2 , Emily Wabuyele1 , Grace Ngaruiya1 , Joseph Kamau1 , Jacinter A. Amadi1 , Peninah Njenga1 , James Waichoka1 , Musingo T.E. Mbuvi3 , James Mutunga Joshua2 , Julius Kimani2 , Mercy Lagat2 , James M. Mwamodenyi4, and Paul Matiku2 (2025) Cherangany Hills Forest Restoration Opportunity Assessment and Mapping Report. Kenyatta University

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https://ir-library.ku.ac.ke/handle/123456789/33013

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