Kakamega County, Kenya ยท Est. 2012
Guarding Kenya's last rainforest fragment.
The KFE Consortium protects the Guineo-Congolian rainforest of Kakamega, a 12,000-year-old biodiversity hotspot, while supporting the families who live alongside it.
12,000+
Years of History
Part of the ancient Guineo-Congolian rainforest.
194+
Bird Species
Recognized as an Important Bird Area (IBA).
5
Major Rivers
Ikuywa, Lugusitsi, Salaza, Isiukhu, and Yala.
14
Years as a CBO
Community-led conservation since 2012.
About Us
A relic of an ancient rainforest.
Kakamega Forest is what remains of a rainforest that once stretched across Central and East Africa. Today it is Kenya's last fragment of the Guineo-Congolian ecosystem, with over 12,000 years of evolutionary history.
A registered Community-Based Organization since 2012, the KFE Consortium works where conservation meets community development, because protecting biodiversity only lasts when local livelihoods thrive too.
Our Mission
Promote sustainable biodiversity conservation while supporting community livelihoods.
Our Vision
A thriving forest ecosystem where communities and nature flourish together.
IBA
Recognized Important Bird Area, home to 194+ forest-dependent species
The pressures we're working against
Each threat compounds the others, which is why our work spans the forest, the farm and the family.
Deforestation
Uncontrolled logging and timber extraction continue to fragment the forest, threatening habitat connectivity.
Land Encroachment
Agricultural expansion into forest boundaries reduces critical habitat and disrupts ecosystem services.
Soil Erosion
Loss of forest cover degrades soil quality, affecting both forest health and agricultural productivity.
Biodiversity Loss
Habitat destruction threatens 194+ forest-dependent bird species and countless endemic plants.
Our Core Focus
Three pillars, one living forest.
Forest Restoration
Biodiversity monitoring and indigenous tree planting to restore the ecosystem's balance, replacing exotic species with native flora.
- Biodiversity Monitoring
- Indigenous Tree Planting
- Exotic Species Replacement
Community Livelihoods
Supporting local families through sustainable practices that reduce pressure on forest resources while improving household resilience.
- Kitchen Gardening
- Compost Manure Production
- Fuel-Efficient Stoves
Youth Empowerment
Developing youth leadership so the next generation can lead conservation and development efforts in their communities.
- Leadership Development
- Climate Change Awareness
- Community Engagement
Our Strategy
How restoration takes root.
Government-led programs exist, but lasting restoration needs community engagement alongside scientific and indigenous knowledge.
- Step 01
Assess
Biodiversity Monitoring
We take part in biodiversity monitoring to understand deforestation patterns, biodiversity loss, and the full extent of land degradation.
Scientific tracking of 194+ forest-dependent bird species and indigenous flora.
- Step 02
Engage
Community Hotspot Identification
We work directly with local communities to learn how deforestation affects daily life and to identify locally viable restoration solutions.
Pinpointing hotspots where forest loss directly threatens agriculture and water supply.
- Step 03
Evaluate
Overcoming Barriers
We address economic pressures and the cultural preference for exotic tree species over indigenous ones.
Promoting the intrinsic value of forest preservation through past project evaluations.
Collaboration Framework
Conservation is a team effort.
Effective conservation requires collaboration across sectors. We work with diverse partners to achieve our mission.
Government Departments
- Kenya Forest Service
- County Government of Kakamega
- Ministry of Environment
Research Institutions
- National Museums of Kenya
- Universities & Research Centers
- Botanical Gardens
Private Sector
- Local Businesses
- Corporate Partners
- Sustainable Enterprises
Development Agencies
- International NGOs
- Conservation Organizations
- Community Development Groups
Action Gallery
Conservation in action.
A glimpse into our work in forest restoration, community livelihoods and biodiversity protection across the Kakamega landscape.
Growing indigenous saplings for reforestation efforts
Sustainable agriculture for local families
Home to 194+ forest-dependent bird species
Protecting vital water sources for communities
Organic farming practices for soil health
Building the next generation of conservation leaders