A community reforestation program in arid and semi-arid areas of Kenya is expected to transform the lives of farming communities.

The People reports on a visit by French Ambassador to Kenya, Rémi Marechaux, to Meru, Embu and Tharaka Nithi where he announced that his embassy would fund a KSh 107 million (US $1.2 million) program aimed at increasing forest cover from less than 2 per cent to more than 5 per cent in 2 years.

The program involves planting 50,000 trees and providing 30 permanent stoves and removable furnaces. It is expected to have many benefits, including supplying trees for fuel wood, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and reducing respiratory disorders through more efficient stoves.

Read the full story: France kicks off Sh107 million reforestation bid