The University has unveiled a groundbreaking Citizen Science Conservation Project, partnering with Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR) to address urgent ecological challenges. The initiative empowers students, faculty, and local communities to monitor and protect the biodiverse Kaimosi Forest, adjacent wetlands, and critical air and water systems.

Spearheaded by Dr. George Manyali, a lecturer in KAFU’s School of Science, the project emerged from his vision to democratize research by integrating community-driven data collection. “Citizen science bridges the gap between academia and the lived realities of those interacting daily with these ecosystems,” Dr. Manyali said. Coordinated by KAFU’s Centre of Excellence on Climate Action and Research, the initiative aligns with the University’s 2023-2027 Strategic Plan, which prioritizes innovation and societal impact.

Dr. George Manyali presenting during the launch of the project

Acting Vice Chancellor Prof. Mwita hailed the launch as a milestone in sustainable development. “This reflects our ethos of blending academic rigor with community partnership,” he said. Students from diverse disciplines will lead fieldwork—tracking deforestation, pollution levels, and wildlife sightings—while locals contribute traditional knowledge, such as identifying medicinal plants or seasonal bird migrations. Together, their efforts will shape strategies to combat biodiversity loss and climate change.

The Kaimosi Forest, a cultural and ecological cornerstone, will serve as the project’s living laboratory in the project touted to grow beyond Vihiga, helping provide solutions for conserving threatened ecosystems.

Residents living near Kaimosi Forest edges will collaborate with students to map species distribution and assess wetland health, merging ancestral wisdom with modern science. “This is not a project for the people, but by the people,” Dr. Manyali emphasized, underscoring its inclusive design.

KAFU also announced a pending Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with CIFOR to secure long-term funding and formalize roles for students and communities in data collection. The agreement, nearing final approval, ensures grassroots contributions remain central to regional conservation policies.

As KAFU positions itself at the forefront of Kenya’s citizen science movement, the project offers a global blueprint: when academia and communities unite, conservation becomes a shared legacy—one dataset, one forest trail, and one story at a time.