KEFRI launches Ksh 30M project to manage prosopis juliflora in Turkana

The Kenya Forestry Research Institute (KEFRI) has launched a Ksh 30 million project focused on the sustainable management of Prosopis juliflora to create green jobs and improve livelihoods in Turkana West.

The project, funded by the International Labour Organization (ILO), targets areas including Kakuma, Kalobeyei, Songot, Nanam, Letea, Pelekech, and Lopur, with a one-year implementation plan.

By leveraging climate-smart technologies, the initiative seeks to transform the invasive species into an economic asset. Key activities include carbonization for briquette and biochar production, as well as charcoal value chains.

“Through research, the project will empower communities to produce high-value animal feed from Prosopis pods and twigs for commercialization, enhancing their economic well-being,” said Patrick Mwirigi, KEFRI Assistant Director for the Turkana Region.

Mwirigi emphasized that tapping into emerging research and transferring knowledge will be critical to the project’s success.

A state-of-the-art Prosopis Training and Incubation Centre will also be established in Turkana to build entrepreneurial capacity.

“In partnership with the Turkana County Government, Kenya Forest Service, and business stakeholders, KEFRI aims to shift perceptions of Prosopis from an invasive nuisance to an economic resource,” he added.

Adopting an Employment Intensive Investment Approach (EIIP), the project aims to create 1,040 green jobs and directly benefit approximately 8,000 households in the region.

At the project launch, 30 Kakuma Bee Group members—drawn from host and refugee communities—were trained on diversified Prosopis value chains.

The training covered soap, body cream, candles and beauty product production, as well as exploring the medicinal benefits of Prosopis byproducts like wax and honey.

Speaking at the event, Mwirigi highlighted the economic gains already realized through Prosopis utilization.

“Research shows that communities generate up to Ksh 45 million annually from activities such as charcoal and pole sales. These figures can grow further through environmentally friendly alternatives like briquette production,” he stated.

He underscored the project’s dual focus on economic empowerment and sustainability, describing it as a key driver of local development.

“Our approach advocates for the control, sustainable management, and utilization of Etirae (Prosopis) to mitigate its risks while maximizing its benefits,” Mwirigi explained.

The role of Prosopis juliflora in apiculture was also emphasized, with members of the Kakuma Bee Group acknowledging its value as a critical forage source for bees.

“We see the potential to expand beyond honey production into ventures that promise better incomes and more job opportunities,” said one group member.

Despite its invasive nature, which has led to challenges such as encroachment on grazing lands and farmland, KEFRI Research Scientist Joan Kibet highlighted its untapped economic potential.

“While Prosopis presents challenges, its opportunities in beekeeping, energy production, and other sectors are immense,” she noted.

The project represents a paradigm shift in managing Prosopis juliflora, turning it from an ecological menace into a catalyst for economic growth and environmental sustainability.