About African Forest

African Forest provides innovative and sustainable solutions that benefit communities, investors, but most importantly, the environment. Guided by an internally developed methodology, Planet Positive Forestry (PPF) Model, four pillars define the team’s work: planting and growing forests, promoting biodiversity, preventing poverty, and promoting ethical investment. The model emphasizes intercropping tree species together and was developed upon the discovery that indigenous species, coupled with pioneer species, yield faster and healthier growing trees.

Forests are recognised as critical in climate change mitigation and adaptation: playing a significant role in strengthening resilience to climate change. They not only act as carbon sinks and absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere; but they provide important environmental goods and services, from water, to the contribution of biological biodiversity; they aid in soil erosion control, maintenance, and the improvement of the landscape.

Testimonials

Full 1

Betty Mwangi
MBS, CEO Jumia Kenya

I engaged African Forest to help me do landscape restoration on my bare 5 acres of land in Green park, Naivasha. The results are amazing. I now have an indigenous forest providing shade and green lush lawns. I can’t wait to build my home away from the city in serene environment with lots of fresh air.

Full 2

Kirsty Shaw,
Head of Ecological Restoration
and Tree Conservation,
BGCI

African Forest and Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI) have worked together since 2015. The partnership jointly includes delivering training courses on seed collection for communities and conservation organizations. It has been great to see African Forest build their own capacity over the years. Recently, BGCI has provided funding to African Forest for collection of seeds from threatened tree species in coastal Kenya and to independently lead training of Community Forest Associations. I have been pleased with the quality and enthusiasm of African Forest’s work and the way they put communities first in every project. I am confident that their new “Leave your Mark, Grow a Tree” initiative will be a success!

Full 3

Gerald Taylor
Farm owner, Naivasha

We tasked African Forest with planting a forest using their Planet Positive Forestry model. African Forest has done a fabulous job by making timely deliveries with on-site staff who have been actively involved in the planting and tending of the seedlings. I recommend African Forest for both seedling supply and plantation establishment services.

Kenya Mutiso

Founder of African Forest

Kenya Mutiso started a tree seedling nursery in Nairobi in 2003 and is now the founder of African Forest, where he manages most of the operations and community relations. In 2013 he achieved recognition by the Government of Kenya and Food and Agriculture Organisation for his contribution to food security and tree growing in the community. Kenya Mutiso was recognised personally as the best in Environmental Conservation in Gilgil by Nakuru County. He has mobilised over 1,000 community members in agroforestry projects with Kenya Fly Fishers Club (KFFC), Naivasha Basin Sustainability Initiative (NBSI) and MaMaSe. Kenya Mutiso has trained communities in seed collection, processing and marketing with Botanical Gardens Conservation International(BGCI), Kenya Forest Research Institute (KEFRI) and South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI), National Museums of Kenya and has been featured on Al Jazeera’s Earthrise and KTN’s Project Green.

Meet the team

Simon Wachira

Forestry and Seedling Specialist

Simon started working at African Forest as an undergraduate intern in 2016 and is currently pursuing his master’s in tropical forestry. Simon brings his expertise in forest management, plant nursery operations, silvicultural operations and so much more to African Forest.

Lynda Holt

Director

Lynda is new to the African Forest team and has been working with African Forest since January 2022. Lynda, who has a background in mainstream media and advertising and is a business consultant, handles all the financial, administration and marketing aspects of African Forest.

Herbert Ongubo

Botanist

Herbert has worked for African Forest for years and is our resident specialist in indigenous plant species, Herbert’s key role with African Forest has been to research and survey threatened tree species, and train communities in seed collection, processing and nursery management.

Augustine Mwangi Karimi

General Manager and Botanist

Augustine joined the team in 2020 as a botanist. Through African Forest and the Global Tree Campain, Augustine has been mapping key endemic trees and shrubs in Shimba Hills and Buda Forest, collecting voucher specimens, doing phenological surveys, seed collection and community training in Kwale County.