Projects · Kakamega Forest
Kakamega Forest Fence
Western Kenya’s rainforest fragment faces pressure from the edge inward. 50 km of a 117 km electrified fence is live, with more kilometres planned with KWS and KFS.
Surveyed layers
Forest, park and fence layers for this landscape. Clear a box to hide that layer.
Problem: Kakamega is Kenya’s only tropical rainforest remnant, rich in species with Congo Basin links, yet farms and settlements tight against the boundary saw wildlife damage and forest incursion.
Action: Rhino Ark is extending the same electrified fence model used on the water towers. 50 km of a planned 117 km perimeter is built with Kenya Forest Service, Kenya Wildlife Service, NETFUND, UNDP, and the county governments of Kakamega and Vihiga. The four-year project is projected to cost over KES 378 million. Funding secured includes KES 72 million from UNDP and KES 10 million from NETFUND, with county commitments of KES 100 million from Kakamega and KES 30 million from Vihiga.
Outcome: More of the forest edge is defined and patrolled, crop raids can be reduced where the line is complete, and neighbours are drawn into stewardship of a forest found nowhere else in Kenya.
Goals
- Fence maintenanceActive
- Biodiversity protectionActive
- Community engagementActive
Partners
- Kenya Wildlife Service
- Kenya Forest Service
- National Environmental Trust Fund (NETFUND)
- United Nations Development Programme
- Kakamega County Government
- Vihiga County Government
- Forest-adjacent communities
Evidence
Reports and knowledge products connected to this programme.
- Mount Kenya landscape map
Fact sheets · 2026
- Kakamega Forest landscape map
Fact sheets · 2026
- Aberdare Fence Assessment 2011 (Main Report)
Reports · 2011
- Aberdare Fence Assessment 2011 (Exec. Summary)
Reports · 2011
