I&M Foundation has committed Ksh 162 million toward the first phase of the Imarisha Ngong Forest Project, a collaborative effort with the Kenya Forest Service.
The initiative focuses on fencing, restoring, and developing essential infrastructure within Ngong Forest.
The vision of the Ngong Community Forest Association (CFA) is to be a world-class urban forest, and through shared goals with like-minded partners, they hope to achieve this vision. The CFA plays a crucial role in ensuring that the social fence is set by the people, for the people amongst the people.
The I&M Foundation envisions sustainability through a unique model of sustenance by setting aside 2% of I&M Bank’s profit before tax. It has championed impactful initiatives in Education and skills development, economic empowerment, and environmental conservation.
According to Eric Kimani, the chairman of the I&M Foundation, the Imarisha Project embodies the restoration of ecosystems and building resilience with work spanning Makueni, Kilifi, and Kiambu, among other counties.
He emphasized that the project reaffirms a focus on sustainability, responsible stewardship, and meaningful long-term impact.
“The I&M Foundation partnered with Kenya Community Development (KCDA) in an initiative worth Ksh 57 million that reached 9400 households, 172 schools and in total 62,000 young people. An engagement that saw planting of 377,000 trees,” said Eric.
Aligning with the government goals of restoration, the foundation is open to partnerships and collaborations to bring transformative change. The foundation chairman called on civil society, NGOs, and government to work in synergies with a shared vision.
I&M Bank CEO Shah pointed out that I&M Investing Kes 160 M to fence Ngong Road Forest is the beginning of a journey forged in cooperation towards attaining long-lasting gains and contributions that trickle back to benefit our communities.
A lasting impact is only empowered by collaborations like the one with KFS that ensures the longevity of actions and benefits.
I&M Bank in Rwanda delved into the construction of an entirely sustainable stadium using locally sourced materials.
Additionally, I&M Bank Uganda has endeavored to protect and preserve public green spaces within Kampala, and I&M Bank in Mauritius has invested immensely in the reforestation of one of the largest remaining natural sanctuaries in the country.
Forests play a crucial role in protecting not only biodiversity but also people, the future of our planet and in creating an ecosystem that is essential for the survival of all.
The Imarisha Ngong Forest Project aims to create a lasting impact that benefits both the environment and the community dependent on the ecosystem. The I&M Foundation is also prioritizing green spaces as a way to make our cities more livable and healthier for everyone, promoting overall wellness
“Together, let’s make bold steps towards a greener, more sustainable future for Kenya, and this marks the 51st year for I&M Bank,” said I&M Bank’s Kihara.
Ngong Forest is a home of biodiversity and community, however, the biggest challenge has been its harboring of thieves who attack civilians who walk close by the forest.
Chief Conservator Forests Lemarkoko revealed that the forest has been earning up to KSH 200,000 every month, which is expected to increase once the project is complete, attracting more visitors.
“We look forward to having a world-class status that will create a path for us to revamp eco-tourism in the forest, hence more visitors and development as the ecosystems positioned within the metropolitan city,” said Lemarkoko.
Echoing the 15 billion trees growth by 2030, the stakeholders urged for more synergies in operation and a collective approach toward improving how we protect our ecosystems.
The Commander of KFS emphasized that the strategy to employ in the collaboration is social protection initiated through community involvement.
He lauds the president in the employment of over 3,000 rangers and cadets who have ramped up the protection of forests from encroachment and logging activities that are devastating our ecosystems.
The Cabinet Secretary for the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, H.E. Aden Duale, said it’s a vital step taken today representing a new chapter in safeguarding our green spaces for environmental and socio-economic benefits.
“The KFS in partnership with I&M Foundation is fencing 695.3 ha sanctuary block of Ngong forest ensuring protection from poaching, illegal logging, encroachment and addressing pressures from surrounding communities and above all the criminals who hibernate in the forest,” said CS Duale.
He emphasized that the goal is not to build a boundary but to create a secure space for conservation while ensuring local communities continue benefitting sustainably.
This Imarisha Ngong Forest project extends far beyond ecosystem restoration as it opens a door for us to walk into ecotourism, a sector that will be extremely beneficial for us.
CS Duale highlighted that the Kenyan Constitution, which he calls the Green Constitution, has an article protecting and conserving the environment in the preamble.
It says, “We must protect and conserve the environment for now and future generations.”
The collaboration today is significant as it indicates the importance of government and private sector in collective action is vital for ecosystems restoration as we set a precedent for future restoration projects across the country.
Emulating Addis Ababa’s green transformation, CS says it’s possible since they managed to plant 32 billion trees in ten years, a move renowned as the ‘Green Revolution.’
He urges citizens to use the JAZA MITI app when they plant a tree, uploading it to keep track of tree planting and to meet the country’s goal.
“We plan to decongest Karura Forest, which receives the largest numbers of visitors every month. This has led to the use of drones in ensuring the protection of visitors in the ecosystem. We want to have more people coming to Ngong Forest,” said CS Duale.
