A view of Nairobi. Photo pexels-amurephotography-9833513
More than 750,000 people across Kenya’s critical watersheds are set to benefit from a new World Bank-supported project aimed at restoring landscapes, protecting natural resources, and strengthening the resilience of vulnerable communities to climate change.
The Kenya Watershed and Sustainable Landscape Investment Project (KEWASIP) will deploy $200 million in International Development Association (IDA) financing to support the government in enhancing sustainable land and watershed management, while improving livelihoods across five high-priority ecological regions.
These regions include Marsabit, Marmanet, Nyambene, Chyulu Hills, and Shimba Hills, which span 12 counties: Marsabit, Samburu, Garissa, Isiolo, Baringo, Meru, Tharaka Nithi, Tana River, Laikipia, Kitui, Makueni, and Kwale.
“This project is not just about restoring land, it’s about restoring opportunity and resilience for Kenya’s rural communities, especially women, youth, and marginalized groups,” Qimiao Fan, World Bank Division Director for Kenya.
“By investing in sustainable landscapes, we are safeguarding Kenya’s natural capital, which underpins food security, jobs, and climate resilience.”
Restoring ecosystems and livelihoods
Kenya’s landscapes are critical to the nation’s economy and identity, yet they are under immense pressure from climate change, deforestation, and unsustainable land use.
KEWASIP aims to reverse these trends through community-driven action and strong institutional partnerships, using an integrated landscape management approach that links forests, rangelands, and agricultural systems.
The project is structured around three main components: policy and regulatory strengthening, on-the-ground restoration and watershed management, and project management and capacity building.
These measures are designed to ensure both ecological sustainability and tangible benefits for local communities.
“Approximately 25,000 jobs are expected to be generated through interventions that promote sustainable livelihoods, including agroforestry, afforestation, and development of non-timber forest product value chains,” the World Bank stated.
Local enterprises will also be engaged to explore climate-smart land use and sustainable forest management opportunities.
Focusing on vulnerable communities
The KEWASIP initiative is particularly targeted at women, youth, and marginalized groups who are often most affected by environmental degradation.
Women in rural Kenya, for instance, spend an average of 3–5 hours daily collecting firewood, according to the World Bank’s 2022 Kenya Environmental Review, highlighting how ecosystem degradation directly affects daily life and productivity.
By restoring landscapes, the project aims to improve water availability, enhance agricultural productivity, and reduce conflicts over natural resources.
This approach also aligns with Kenya’s National Landscape and Ecosystem Restoration Strategy (2023–2032) and complements previous restoration efforts in the country.
“Investing in sustainable landscapes is not just an environmental initiative, it’s a social and economic one,” Fan added.
“Communities gain secure livelihoods, access to clean water, and strengthened resilience against climate shocks.”
Long-term impact and climate resilience
Over time, KEWASIP is expected to restore ecological function across the targeted watersheds. Healthy landscapes play a key role in absorbing rainfall, reducing soil erosion, and maintaining biodiversity.
According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO, 2021), well-managed watersheds can increase agricultural yields by up to 30 per cent while reducing the risk of climate-related crop failures.
The project also contributes directly to the World Bank’s Country Partnership Framework for Kenya and its Gender Strategy (2024–2030), reflecting a dual
commitment to sustainable development and social equity.
Communities will benefit not only from environmental improvements but also from economic opportunities created by sustainable agriculture and forest-based enterprises.
“This is a tangible example of how climate action can deliver multiple benefits at once, improving livelihoods, restoring ecosystems, and protecting communities against the increasing threats of climate change,” Fan said.
Towards a sustainable future
KEWASIP represents a growing trend of solutions-focused development initiatives in Kenya, where environmental challenges are increasingly addressed through integrated approaches combining policy, community engagement, and investment,
By empowering local communities to take part in restoration efforts, the project ensures sustainability and local ownership.
As climate-related risks such as droughts, flooding, and soil degradation continue to affect vulnerable populations in Kenya, initiatives like KEWASIP show how targeted investment and coordinated action can transform challenges into opportunities.
The project’s long-term vision is clear: restore Kenya’s natural capital, strengthen community resilience, and create pathways for economic growth, while safeguarding the environment for future generations.
About KEWASIP
The Kenya Watershed and Sustainable Landscape Investment Project (KEWASIP) is a World Bank-supported initiative designed to strengthen the resilience of Kenya’s ecosystems and communities.
It targets five high-priority ecological regions including Marsabit, Marmanet, Nyambene, Chyulu Hills, and Shimba Hills, covering 12 counties and reaching over 750,000 people.
The project deploys $200 million in financing to support sustainable land management, watershed restoration, and community-driven livelihood interventions.
KEWASIP is structured around three core components: policy and regulatory strengthening, on-the-ground restoration and watershed management, and project management with capacity building.
Restoration efforts include reforestation, agroforestry, and the development of non-timber forest product value chains, while simultaneously creating approximately 25,000 jobs for local communities.
A key feature of the project is its participatory approach.
Communities, local governments, and enterprises are engaged throughout planning and implementation, ensuring that interventions are locally owned and sustainable.
