- Kenya currently hosts approximately 133,000 hectares of indigenous bamboo, primarily Oldeania alpina, thriving in ecosystems such as the Mau Forest, Mt. Kenya, Mt. Elgon, Cherangani Hills, and the Aberdares.
Kenya is setting its sights on bamboo as a cornerstone of its green economy targeting expanded cultivation, the creation of 750,000 green jobs, major investment inflows, and positioning bamboo as a renewable alternative in construction and manufacturing.
According to the Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Forestry, Dr. Deborah Barasa, the initiative aligns with broader national priorities including Vision 2030 and the 15 Billion Tree Programme.
It marks a strategic shift from untapped potential to purposeful action in ecological restoration and economic transformation.
Speaking on September 18, 2025, during this year’s World Bamboo Day, CS Barasa emphasized the significance of the moment with the unveiling of Kenya’s Bamboo Development Strategy and Action Plan (2025–2035).
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“Aligned with the global theme, ‘Bamboo for the People, Planet Earth and Climate Resilience,’ this long-awaited framework aims to unlock bamboo’s full potential as a tool for climate resilience, sustainable development, and green industrial innovation,” she said.
Kenya currently hosts approximately 133,000 hectares of indigenous bamboo, primarily Oldeania alpina, thriving in ecosystems such as the Mau Forest, Mt. Kenya, Mt. Elgon, Cherangani Hills, and the Aberdares.
Bamboo is widely recognized as a “climate powerhouse”:
It absorbs between 5–24 tons of CO₂ per hectare annually, outperforming many tree species.
It also stabilizes riverbanks, prevents soil erosion, and restores degraded landscapes.
Furthermore, it supports biodiversity, especially within Kenya’s critical water towers.
With the new strategy in place, Kenya is not just planting bamboo, it’s planting the seeds of a greener, more resilient future.
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