THE BEGINNING
1999
In early 1999, an aerial survey by the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), in conjunction with the Kenya Forests Working Group and supported by the United Nations Environment Programme, revealed extensive destruction of Mount Kenya and Imenti Forests. This destruction, primarily occurring below the bamboo and afro- alpine zones, was driven by uncontrolled agroforestry practices logging of indigenous trees, livestock grazing, and forest fires.
According to the Trillion Trees Initiative, nearly one-fifth of the ecosystem surrounding Mount Kenya has been deforested within the last decade alone while Global Forest Watch satellite data estimates a national net annual forest cover loss of approximately 1,200 hectares between 2000 and 2020.
In response to this critical situation, the Mount Kenya Trust was established in late 1999 to combat deforestation and safeguard this vital ecosystem. For over 25 years, MKT has spearheaded efforts to protect Mount Kenya through a holistic, community-driven, and partnership-based approach, ensuring the ecosystem remains a cornerstone of Kenya’s ecological and cultural heritage.
OVER THE YEARS
Key Milestones
2000
The first two-strand elephant fence and the first of the Trust’s ranger teams, the Marania Wildlife Guards [MWG], was established.
2002
The inaugural 10 to 4 Mountain Bike Challenge is held. The course runs from the Mt. Kenya boundary at 10,000 ft elevation down to Il Ngwesi Group Ranch at 4,000 ft.
2004
Indigenous forest restoration begins at Irangi, the first large scale indigenous planting project on Mount Kenya.
2005
The Trust conducts its first conservation education outreach programme with partners.
2007
The Trust begins an elephant fencing project in the Sirimon area to reduce Human/Elephant Conflict.
2008
The Joint Wildlife Protection Team [JWPT] was formed at Ruthumbi. Community guards and KWS Rangers make up the team of nine. It quickly becomes an effective team curtailing illegal activities on the northern sector of the mountain.
2009
The construction of the Mount Kenya elephant corridor is carried out. MKT spearheads the project, working with partners Kisima Farm, Marania Farm, Lewa Wildlife Conservancy and Rhino Ark.
2004
Indigenous forest restoration begins at Irangi, the first large scale indigenous planting project on Mount Kenya.
2010
'Tony' becomes the first elephant to walk the Mt. Kenya Corridor underpass East Africa's first constructed wildlife corridor.
2011
The Horse Patrol Team [HPT] is established with support from Kisima Farm and donor partners
2012
MKT’s second major forest rehabilitation project begins in the Karuri area
2014
The MKT Community Health Service Project begins with a one-year pilot project in collaboration with CHASE Africa. The project has grown ever since.
2016
MKT supports a comprehensive elephant population survey run by the Wildlife Conservation Society. As of 2020, the elephant population in the Mount Kenya ecosystem was estimated at approximately 1,905 individuals
2017
MKT begins new projects in the Imenti Forest Reserve [NE Mt. Kenya] and the Imenti Patrol Team [IPT] is formed.
2018
Two automated elephant one- way gates are established in the Imenti forest to reduce HEC and fence breaking by annually migrating elephants.
2019
MKT, Rhino Ark Trust and Tropic Air assist KWS and KFS in fighting a moorland fire that burnt an estimated 20,000 hectares.
2020
MKT conducts a pilot survey to determine the condition and use of riparian land by wildlife, livestock and people on the Timau, Teleswani, Sirimon and Ontulili Rivers, which all feed the Ewaso Ng’iro River.
2022
MKT is first runner-up in the African Conservation Award conservation team category. The Junior Ranger Programme is launched which, aligned with the Ministry of Education curriculum, aims to educate and inspire students around Mt. Kenya on environmental conservation
2023
MKT wins the EarthRanger Conservation Tech Award 2023 for The Best Application of Technology through the Junior Ranger Programme.
Six MKT rangers graduate as Non-Commissioned Officers (NCOs) to the ranks of Corporal and Sergeant following a rigorous training course run by KWS.
2026
MKT, through the Ragati Chehe Mountain Bongo Conservation Trust, in partnership with Rhino Ark Kenya Charitable Trust, Ragati River Management, Mara Elephant Project, and Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo, signs a Special Use Licence with the Kenya Forest Service, securing 63 acres in the Ragati–Chehe forests as a protected refuge and future reintroduction site for the critically endangered Mountain Bongo.