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​​By Alan Channer PhD   |   15 June 2022


What is the role of faith in land restoration? Can religious leaders foster regreening? Can faith communities catalyse the spread of farmer-managed natural regeneration?

To answer these questions, and others, CIFOR-ICRAF partnered with OikoDiplomatique to organise a three-day workshop, from 6th-8th April 2022, entitled ‘Faith-based land restoration in Kenya: forging partnerships, developing a strategy’ at the All Africa Conference of Churches in Nairobi.

The workshop was followed by a field visit in Elgeyo Marakwet County (11th-13th April 2022) hosted by Major John Seii, Chair of the Kenya National Council of Elders and the County Government of Elgeyo Marakwet.

Faith-based land restoration in Kenya Oikodiplomatique

The key output of the workshop was a Draft Action Plan for a faith-based land restoration coalition in Kenya. Advocacy, capacity-building, partnership-building,trust-building between landscape stakeholders, and restoration projects were identified as key areas for action.

Following the field visit, the synergies of faith-leaders working closely with traditional elders to encourage restoration was identified.

An outcome of the workshop and field visit is that World Vision will facilitate a workshop on ‘’Empowered World View for Land Restoration’’ in Elgeyo Marakwet at the end of June 2022.

Objectives

The objectives of the workshop and field visit were:


  • To build an understanding of faith communities’ approaches to environmental stewardship, especially through agroforestry and FMNR.
  • To forge a team for Kenya’s faith communities’ involvement in restoration.
  • To develop a strategy and action plan for Kenya's faith communities’ involvement in restoration moving forward.


A total of 25 people participated in the workshop, including senior representatives of Christian (Catholic, Anglican, Seventh Day Adventist, Pentecostalist and Baptist), Muslim and Hindu communities; the Inter-Religious Council of Kenya; faith-based development organisations; peace practitioners, scientists, traditional elders and the Kenyan government.

Faith-based land restoration in Kenya:
​forging partnerships, developing a strategy

Major John Seii Elgeyo Marakwet Oikodiplomatique