Forever Forests
About us
Misitu Milele means Forever Forests. We plant, grow, care for and nurture trees, restoring degraded landscapes with communities across Kenya.
Who we are
Misitu Milele is a nonprofit registered under Section 10 of the Non-Government Co-ordination Act. Rooted in transparency, community empowerment and ecological stewardship, we restore degraded landscapes by establishing resilient, locally appropriate tree cover that rehabilitates ecosystems, protects watersheds and supports biodiversity.
Strategic purpose
We advance landscape restoration as an evidence-driven contribution to Kenya’s 15-Billion-Tree Growing Programme (2032) and the Presidential Climate Action Strategy. We prioritise measurable outcomes: restoring ecological function, improving watershed health and water security, and strengthening community stewardship.
All interventions follow national legal and policy frameworks, including the Public Benefits Organizations Act, the Climate Change Act and the Forest Conservation and Management Act, and adhere to Kenya Forest Service guidelines and government-aligned monitoring and reporting protocols.
Partnerships and institutional alignment
We partner with national institutions so our restoration work is technically robust, policy-aligned and socially legitimate.
Kenya Forest Service (KFS)
Provides operational oversight on forest governance, land-use planning and protection measures.
Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Forestry
Ensures alignment with national policy, cross-sector coordination and links to the 15-billion-tree strategy.
Kenya Forestry Research Institute (KEFRI)
Supplies applied research, species selection guidance, nursery protocols and monitoring methods.
Communities and safeguards
We partner with local communities to build lasting stewardship, equitable benefits and local capacity for restoration.
Community Forest Associations
We work directly with Community Forest Associations (CFAs) and local institutions to formalise stewardship, clarify tenure and co-manage restoration. CFAs are central to decisions, site protection and long-term maintenance.
Free, Prior and Informed Consent
All interventions follow Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) and robust safeguarding standards. We ensure informed participation, protect vulnerable groups, and document consent and engagement at every stage.
Inclusion and livelihoods
We prioritise gender equity and youth inclusion, with meaningful roles, training and income for women and young people through nursery management, agroforestry and value-chain activities.
Grievance redress and accountability
A transparent grievance mechanism lets communities raise concerns and track resolutions. Complaints are handled promptly, confidentially and in line with our safeguarding policy.
Benefit sharing
We co-design locally appropriate, legally sound benefit-sharing that links ecosystem services, livelihood incentives and community development to measurable restoration outcomes.
Capacity building and community monitoring
We train CFAs and community monitors in nursery practice, participatory monitoring, basic GIS and financial management, so communities can lead monitoring, reporting and stewardship.
Governance, monitoring and impact
Accountability, transparency and adaptive management run through every phase of our work.
Restoration planning and site preparation
Site assessments inform species-appropriate prescriptions and landscape priorities. Ecological baseline surveys and community land-use mapping guide restoration design and tenure considerations.
Standards and protocols
Nursery and planting protocols combine best practice with local knowledge to maximise survival and ecological fit. Operational checklists and standard operating procedures keep every site consistent.
Monitoring, evaluation and learning
GPS mapping, time-stamped photos, survival and growth surveys and community-led monitoring track progress, and regular analysis refines our techniques, species mixes and maintenance. How we monitor and report.
Data transparency and reporting
We share clear reports with stakeholders and donors, including site maps, survival rates, activity logs and financial summaries, to support joint decisions.
Safeguarding and community rights
FPIC, grievance mechanisms, child protection measures and gender-sensitive safeguards protect vulnerable groups and uphold human rights.
Risk management and maintenance
Contingency planning, firebreaks, pest management and post-planting maintenance schedules reduce risks from fire, pests, grazing and climate variability.
Financial controls and compliance
Transparent budgeting, procurement controls and regular audits ensure fiduciary responsibility and donor confidence.
Social inclusion and livelihoods
We track household income from nursery activities, the participation of women and youth, and local governance capacity, so benefits are equitable and locally sustained.
Partnerships and institutional integration
Monitoring results are shared with institutional partners to align with national reporting, inform policy and scale best practice.
Learning and knowledge sharing
We document lessons, publish technical briefs and train communities and partners to replicate what works.
Exit and stewardship strategy
Every project has a clear handover plan and long-term stewardship arrangements with Community Forest Associations and local authorities, so restored landscapes stay protected after projects end.
Leadership
Hon. Col (Rtd) Geoffrey King'ang'i
Founder and Chairperson
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He serves as the Deputy National Security Advisor and brings a distinguished record of public service and leadership. A former Member of Parliament for Mbeere South, he has also chaired the National Cereals and Produce Board, providing strategic oversight in strengthening national food security systems. His career includes decades of service as a military officer, rising to Aide-de-Camp (ADC) to the late President Mwai Kibaki.
Annaurita W Kariuki
Founder and Executive Director
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A seasoned professional with proven expertise in collaboration, process improvement and MEAL (Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning). Skilled in aligning initiatives with organisational needs and consistently exceeding expectations in dynamic, team-oriented environments. A diligent, results-driven manager recognised for strong communication, strategic decision-making and effective prioritisation.
Moses Nthiga
Founder and Treasurer
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An accomplished finance and operations leader with over a decade of experience driving financial strategy, organisational sustainability and administrative excellence in the non-profit sector. A proven record of transparent stewardship as Treasurer in cooperative societies and alumni associations, with a focus on rigorous financial governance, data-informed decision-making and collaborative leadership.
Azarius Karanja
Director, Sustainability and Climate Impact
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An environmental scientist and ESG professional with over a decade’s experience in sustainability, he leads Misitu Milele’s science-driven forest restoration and carbon integrity frameworks. He specialises in high-integrity, technology-based Monitoring, Reporting and Verification (MRV), with specialised training in GHG MRV design, Regenerative Finance (ReFi) and Environmental Impact Assessment, and has spearheaded national green standards across multiple sectors in Kenya.
Work with us
Partner with us to restore Kenya’s landscapes for climate, water and livelihoods.