BAMBOO STAKEHOLDERS CONVENE TO UNLOCK GREEN GROWTH POTENTIAL

On 18th August 2026 the State Department for Forestry  called for stronger collaboration among government, the private sector, development partners, researchers and communities to unlock bamboo’s potential for climate action, ecosystem restoration and green economic growth.

Speaking at the National  Bamboo Stakeholders’ Breakfast Meeting Forestry Principal Secretary Mr. Gitonga Mugambi said Kenya’s more than 130,000 hectares of natural and planted bamboo offers opportunities in sustainable construction, furniture, renewable energy, eco-tourism and value added processing.
The meeting, also attended by KEFRI CEO Dr. Jane Njuguna, provided a platform to discuss opportunities to unlock bamboo’s potential in forest restoration, climate resilience, green job creation and economic development.

The State Department is targeting an additional 150,000 hectares of bamboo coverage under the National Bamboo Development Strategy and Action Plan 2025–2035, supporting Kenya’s wider landscape restoration and climate goals.

The PS also announced that the National Bamboo Expo and World Bamboo Day celebrations will be held from 16–18 September 2026 at Meru University of Science and Technology (MUST), Meru County. The event will provide a platform for policy dialogue, research, innovation, trade and investment to strengthen Kenya’s bamboo value chain.