By Lenah Bosibori
Multi Touch International (MTI), a local organization advocating for environmental conservation and youth empowerment, has urged the Kenyan government to allocate part of the Galana-Kulalu land for massive tree planting and food production initiatives.
Speaking in Nairobi on Thursday, Christine Wangari, the Founder and CEO of MTI, said the organization has been actively planting trees based on scientific recommendations that reforestation is critical for Kenya to combat the worsening effects of climate change. Despite Kenya’s vast land resources, she noted, the country continues to experience severe climate shocks worsened by pollution from developed nations.
“We believe that while global efforts are important, we as Kenyans must also take the lead in addressing climate change. That’s why we are committed to supporting the government’s ambitious 40 billion tree-planting campaign,” Wangari said.
MTI, which boasts over 207,000 registered youths and women, has been lobbying for between 100,000 and 200,000 acres of Galana-Kulalu land to support its agricultural and reforestation programs. The group initially conceptualized the idea behind the Galana-Kulalu irrigation project in 2006 under the Tana River Territories Irrigation Initiative. However, Wangari lamented that despite repeated attempts to engage the government, their proposals have yet to gain the desired traction.
“We visited Galana-Kulalu with our soil experts, who confirmed the land is suitable for growing various crops, especially yellow and red beans,” she said. “We even secured markets for these crops, but seven years later, we are still waiting for approval.”
MTI argues that full utilization of Galana-Kulalu could dramatically reduce the cost of essential foods such as beans. Currently, a kilo of beans sells for about Kshs 400, but increased local production could slash the price to as low as Kshs 50, significantly improving food security across the country.
Faced with government delays, MTI is considering starting independent farming initiatives along the Sabaki and Tana River banks if no official allocation is made.
In a positive development, Wangari announced that MTI has secured a 10-acre tree nursery site in Nakuru County for three years, along with 50 acres in Tana River and Kilifi Counties, donated by respective county governments. These sites will serve as hubs for tree planting, youth engagement, and agricultural activities.
The Galana-Kulalu project, officially launched in 2013 with government and donor funding totaling around Kshs 6.3 billion, was initially inspired by concepts submitted by MTI. However, Wangari said successive administrations have fragmented and renamed the projects, raising concerns about mismanagement and missed opportunities.
Despite the setbacks, MTI remains optimistic. “Kenya belongs to Kenyans. We must farm our land and plant trees not just for ourselves, but for future generations,” Wangari said.
As Kenya grapples with surging unemployment and economic challenges, many citizens are voicing frustrations about the harsh realities facing local workers, particularly the youth.
Mandeep Bumrah, a trained automobile engineer with over 16 years of experience across East Africa, shared his story of job loss and financial devastation. “I’m actually local; I’m Kenyan. I lost my job about a year or two ago, largely because of the influx of cheaper labour,” he said. Now a father of two, Bumrah added that many firms in Nairobi and beyond are opting for cheaper workers from East and South Asia and neighboring African countries.
“This is what’s happening in Kenya right now. Many companies are parting ways with locals. I lost my house to auction. I lost everything—furniture, utensils—everything,” he said, his voice breaking with emotion. Forced to live in short-term rentals while accumulating debt, Bumrah called on the government to urgently address the crisis.
He also criticized the implementation of the affordable housing initiative, alleging that up to 80% of the units were being occupied by foreign nationals. “You wonder how,” he said. “Our taxpayer money is used to create affordable housing, yet locals are being sidelined.”
Mike Okwendo, a trained accountant now unemployed, echoed similar concerns. “Over 9,441 registered companies have closed operations in Kenya, citing harsh economic conditions, unbearable taxes, and competition from cheap imports,” he said. He warned that the mass closure of manufacturing firms, traditionally key employers, was worsening youth unemployment at an alarming rate.
He urged manufacturers to petition for better business conditions rather than exiting the country. “We, the people of this country, are faithful market recipients. We should flourish together,” he pleaded.
Both Bumrah and Okwendo expressed cautious optimism toward emerging solutions like the Millionaire Trees Initiative under MTI, which promotes youth participation in environmental conservation and job creation.
“If the youth can take an interest, projects like MTI could offer real opportunities,” Bumrah said, though he stressed the need for broader outreach and awareness to ensure that young people see such programs as viable employment alternatives.
Concerns were also raised about the benefits of carbon credit initiatives linked to reforestation efforts. Speakers questioned when Kenyan farmers and youth actively involved in tree planting would begin receiving direct financial rewards from carbon trading programs.
Organizers emphasized the need for agroforestry strategies tailored to specific ecological zones. “We map ecological zones carefully to recommend appropriate trees for each area to ensure mutual benefits with crops,” an expert explained, noting the importance of choosing species like eucalyptus in highland areas over water-intensive blue gum trees.
As Kenya battles rising taxes, widespread unemployment, and foreign competition, calls for urgent reforms and homegrown solutions are growing louder. Citizens warn that unless decisive action is taken, the country risks raising a “lost generation” — unemployed, overlooked, and increasingly desperate.