Kenya Eyes Drone Technology to Speed Up Environmental Restoration

Kenya, 8 July 2026 - Kenya is exploring the use of drone technology to accelerate environmental restoration and support the government's ambitious target of growing 15 billion trees by 2032.Environment, Climate Change and Forestry Cabinet Secretary Deborah Barasa said the government is seeking innovative technologies to improve the efficiency and scale of reforestation efforts, particularly in degraded and hard-to-reach areas.The CS spoke after holding talks with officials from Fahari Aviation Limited, a Kenya Airways subsidiary specialising in drone technology, on the potential use of unmanned aerial systems in tree-growing programmes.The discussions focused on deploying drones to disperse seedballs produced by Seedballs Kenya in inaccessible landscapes where conventional tree-planting methods are difficult and costly.Barasa said the ministry is also exploring a strategic partnership with Fahari Aviation to harness drone technology in expanding the country's environmental restoration initiatives.According to the ministry, the proposed collaboration would improve the speed and reach of seed distribution while enhancing the effectiveness of large-scale reforestation programmes.The initiative is expected to complement ongoing efforts to restore degraded ecosystems, increase forest cover and strengthen Kenya's resilience to the impacts of climate change."The partnership will significantly fast-track the distribution of seedlings and support the achievement of the ambitious 15 billion tree-growing agenda championed by President William Ruto," the ministry said in a statement.Fahari Aviation was represented at the meeting by Commercial Manager Kagwiria Mbiti and Henton Kagiri, who discussed how the company's drone technology could support the ministry's conservation objectives.The government has identified technology and innovation as key enablers in meeting its environmental and climate commitments, including reversing deforestation, restoring degraded landscapes and enhancing biodiversity conservation.Kenya's 15 billion tree-growing programme is a flagship national initiative aimed at increasing forest cover, restoring ecosystems, protecting water catchment areas and contributing to global efforts to combat climate change.