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MUCHEENE AFFORESTATION AND CONSERATION COMMUNITY PROGRAMME FOR MT KENYA FOREST
— · EIN · mountkenyatrust.org
profile · synthesized from sources

Mount Kenya Trust (MKT) is a Kenyan NGO established in 1999 to conserve and restore the Mount Kenya ecosystem, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and critical watershed for over 3.5 million people. The organization employs a holistic, community-centered approach that integrates forest landscape restoration, wildlife protection, water conservation, and community health services. MKT works in partnership with local communities, government agencies, and 27 Community Forest Associations to address both environmental degradation and human well-being.

named programs · 6 · from sources

what they call their work

Adolescent Reproductive Health Project
Provides youth-friendly sexual and reproductive health services and education to adolescents in rural communities around Mount Kenya.
Community Health Service Project
Delivers mobile health services to over 40,600 community members monthly in forest-adjacent areas, improving access to healthcare and reducing pressure on forest resources.
Forest Landscape Restoration (FLR)
Restores degraded forest areas using indigenous tree species, involving local communities and managing 3 million trees in active regeneration across 270,000 hectares.
Habitat & Wildlife Protection
Operates five ranger teams (Joint Wildlife Patrol, Horse Patrol, Imenti Patrol, Marania Wildlife Guards, and riparian units) to combat poaching, logging, and human-wildlife conflict.
Reusable Sanitary Pads Programme
Distributes reusable sanitary pads to schoolgirls to combat period poverty, reduce school absenteeism, and generate income for local women who produce the pads.
Water Conservation Program
Conducts riparian patrols, tree planting along rivers, waste management, and installation of water harvesting infrastructure to protect water sources.
activities · 4 groups

what they do

  • Community-Led Ecosystem Conservation 2 activities
    • Community Forest Association support
      Supports 27 Community Forest Associations in and around Mount Kenya to strengthen local governance and promote responsible forest management and conservation.
    • Forest and wildlife protection patrols
      Deploys multiple specialized ranger teams across 270,000 hectares of forest landscape for anti-poaching, wildlife monitoring, human-wildlife conflict management, and habitat protection. Includes Joint Wildlife Patrol Teams (since 2008), Horseback Patrol Teams using Ethiopian ponies, and the Marania Wildlife Guards composed of former poachers, all operating in collaboration with Kenya Wildlife Service.
  • Menstrual Hygiene Support and Education 1 activity
    • Adolescent reproductive health program
      Operates a comprehensive adolescent health project that includes producing and distributing reusable sanitary pads (6,000 distributed), providing free sanitary towels to girls in schools, and delivering health education to reduce stigma around menstruation for both girls and boys.
  • Community-Led Tree Planting & Environmental Stewardship 1 activity
    • Tree nursery and water harvesting infrastructure
      Established a tree nursery managed by the Ontulili Primate Protectors and equipped with a smart water harvesting system to support propagation of drought-resistant indigenous tree species.
  • Uncategorized 4 activities
    • Conservation-linked livelihoods for women
      Generates income for women through the production of reusable sanitary pads, linking conservation goals with sustainable livelihood development.
    • Mobile and community health services
      Delivers mobile health services to over 40,600–50,000 community members monthly, provides free primary healthcare to 1,500 people per month, and has reached 450,000 people through community health education programs.
    • Riparian zone and waste management
      Implements riparian restoration and waste management initiatives, including tree planting along key rivers and installation of segregated waste bins (plastic, glass, compost) at Mathagio Center, Timau Hospital, and Mia Moja Center to improve water quality and riparian cleanliness.
    • Tree planting and forest restoration
      Conducts large-scale reforestation across the Mount Kenya landscape, including riparian zones, with over 3 million trees planted and 3 million in active regeneration. Specific projects include planting along the Timau, Ontulili, Ngusishi, and Teleswani Rivers in collaboration with local communities.
relationships · 14

who they work with

  • CHASE Africa Partner — Collaborated on a one-year pilot for the Community Health Service Project in 2014.
  • Community Forest Associations Partner — Collaborates with 27 Community Forest Associations in forest restoration and stewardship activities.
  • KFS Partner — Collaborates with KFS to promote responsible forest management and conservation through Community Forest Associations.
  • Kenya Forest Service Partner — Partner in delivering community-driven forest and riparian restoration in the Mount Kenya landscape.
  • Kenya Forest Service Partner — Partners with Kenya Forest Service on species recovery and conservation initiatives.
  • Kenya Wildlife Service Partner — Collaborates with Kenya Wildlife Service on joint patrols, anti-poaching operations, and species recovery programs.
  • Kenya Wildlife Service Partner — Conducted aerial survey with UNEP that revealed forest destruction, leading to the establishment of the Trust.
  • Ontulili Primate Protectors Partner — Community group managing a tree nursery in collaboration with Mount Kenya Trust.
  • Tusk Trust Partner — Provided testimonial recognizing MKT’s effectiveness in community-led conservation and ecosystem connectivity.
  • UNEP Partner — Conducted aerial survey with Kenya Wildlife Service that revealed forest destruction, informing the founding of the Trust.
  • communities Partner — Collaborates with local communities in conservation and development initiatives.
  • government agencies Partner — Works with government agencies to support conservation and community programs in the Mount Kenya region.
  • nonprofits Partner — Partners with nonprofit organizations to advance sustainable development in the Mount Kenya ecosystem.
  • specialist conservation organisations Partner — Collaborates with specialist conservation organizations to support recovery of critically endangered species.