I&M Bank, through its I&M Foundation, is injecting Sh162 million into the first phase of “Project Imarisha Ngong’ Forest,” a major environmental initiative aimed at restoring and securing the vital Ngong’ Forest in Nairobi.
The funds will finance critical infrastructure upgrades, including housing for forest rangers, boreholes and water storage to support reforestation efforts, and improved sanitation facilities for visitors.
Sarit Raja-Shah, Group Executive Director of I&M Group and I&M Foundation Director, said new access gates are also planned to bolster security and ease access to the forest. A key component of the project is the establishment of a tree nursery, designed to accelerate forest regeneration and provide economic opportunities for local communities. This initiative aligns with Kenya’s ambitious plan to plant 15 billion trees by 2032.
“Kenya’s ambitious goal of growing 15 billion trees by 2032 to combat climate change and restore degraded land aligns seamlessly with I&M Group’s sustainability vision. Our commitment to a greener future has shaped our corporate iMara Strategy, ensuring sustainability remains at the core of our business. Through projects like Ngong Forest Restoration, we aim to positively impact 10 million lives by 2026. This is just the beginning and we invite like-minded organisations to join us in these efforts,” Raja-Shah said.
TT. Already, the collaboration has yielded tangible results. Public participation initiatives have garnered strong support from communities in Dagoretti South, Kibera, and Lang’ata. An Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) license has been secured from the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA). The project has generated 682 jobs in its initial phase through clearing invasive species and trail development. Additionally, 3 hectares of degraded forest have been restored, a borehole has been sunk, 5km of electrified fencing installed, and 35km of nature trails developed.
KFS Chief Conservator of Forests, Alex Lemarkoko, highlighted the broader benefits of the project. “By revitalising this urban woodland, we ease pressure on Karura Forest, which receives over 70,000 visitors monthly, and provide Nairobi residents with an expanded green space for recreational and educational purposes. This sanctuary is not just a forest, it is a critical ecosystem at the heart of Nairobi,” Lemarkoko said.
Aden Duale, the Cabinet Secretary (CS) for Environment, Climate Change, and Forestry, emphasized that restoring Nairobi’s green spaces is an environmental responsibility as well as an economic and social necessity. “We applaud I&M Foundation’s leadership in turning this vision into a reality,” he remarked. I&M Foundation channels 2 per cent of I&M Bank’s annual Profit Before Tax (PBT) towards social and environmental initiatives. The Group has operations in Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Mauritius.
