"Back then, they assumed this part wasn't easily accessible, but it was. Over time, illegal activities almost completely devastated the area, but thanks to efforts by Rhino Ark, the Darwin Initiative, and the Kenya Forest Service, we are reclaiming it," he explained.
In addition, there's a special emphasis on reviving the native bamboo species, with a dedicated greenhouse set up to propagate bamboo a species that flourishes in the high-altitude, water-catchment zones of the Aberdare Ranges.
"Bamboo is vital for water conservation, and we're focusing on areas that need it most. This species belongs here, and we're essentially replanting it in degraded areas where it once thrived. By the end of 2024, we aim to fully rehabilitate the targeted areas of the Sophia section," he added.
Nearby, a group of at least ten youths works tirelessly erecting posts for the new solar-powered electric fence. This new barrier, part of the Wanjohi -Shamata Electric Fence Project, aims to physically separate the forest from the neighbouring communities.
"This project runs at a stretch of about 10 to 12 kilometres it ends at the mouth of Malewa River, Since February this year we have completed about 7.9 kilometers," Peter Tabatia, an electric fence technician leading the team, shares their progress
Among the team is 24-year-old Miriam Wanjiku, the only woman in the group.
"This place was destroyed. People had cut down the trees for charcoal and posts. But now, with the fence and ongoing conservation efforts, I'm hopeful that the rivers, like the one up there that dried up, will soon flow again. This area was once home to wildlife like gazelles and antelopes, and I believe they will return," she said.
A vital part of the recovery is the Indigenous tree nursery established by Rhino Ark through the Darwin Initiative. The nursery, with a capacity for 100,000 trees, currently holds 82,350 seedlings at Geta Tree Nursery. This nursery has been critical for rehabilitating the Sophia section.
The association has started its tree nurseries, providing seedlings to community members for planting in their homes. This has reduced pressure on the forest, with over 5,000 seedlings currently in their nursery.
The joint efforts of the community and key stakeholders are essential in the mission to protect this fragile ecosystem, one of Kenya's vital water towers. As a critical water catchment area, it supports major rivers such as the Malewa and Tana, and feeds reservoirs like the Ndakaini Dam, which supplies water to Nairobi and its surrounding areas.
The forest is not only a lifeline for water but also a haven for diverse wildlife, including the critically endangered Mountain Bongo, one of the world's rarest antelopes. With fewer than 100 individuals remaining in the wild, the majority of this species is found in the Aberdare Forest.
"These conservation efforts are in line with the government's ambitious target of planting 15 billion trees by 2032, a plan designed to boost biodiversity and secure water resources for future generations,", said Adams Mwangi the Fence and Community Manager at Rhino Ark.