Saving the Kenyan Forests Campaign

The Green Belt Movement (GBM) is fighting to protect Kenya’s forests more so the Forests in Kenya’s water towers because these critical ecosystems are vital to country’s environmental health and the well-being of its people. Kenya’s water towers such as the Mau Forest Complex, Mount Kenya, the Aberdares, Cherangani Hills, and Mount Elgon serve as major sources of the nation’s rivers and freshwater systems, supporting agriculture, biodiversity, and millions of livelihoods downstream. For GBM, preserving these forests means safeguarding the sources of clean water, mitigating the effects of climate change, and ensuring sustainable development. The destruction of these forests through illegal logging, encroachment, and poor land use not only threatens water security but also exacerbates soil erosion, loss of biodiversity, and extreme weather events. GBM’s work is rooted in the belief that healthy forests are the foundation for a healthy environment and resilient communities, making the conservation of water towers a top priority in their mission for environmental justice and sustainability.