Ababu Namwamba raises alarm over shrinking tree cover in Busia’s only forest
By Kiprono Keileb, February 14, 2026Former Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba has drawn attention to the rapid decline of tree cover in Port Victoria Forest, Busia County’s only forest, warning of long-term environmental consequences for local communities.
In a statement shared on X on Saturday, February 14, 2026, He described the forest’s significance and outlined ongoing efforts to preserve it. He stated that Port Victoria Forest Station has four key hills, including Mumbaka, Wanga, Namuluku and Nanyungu.
“Port Victoria Forest Station is a 601.6-hectare conservation area located in Bunyala Sub-County, Busia County, managed by the Kenya Forest Service (KFS). Encompassing the four key hills of Mumbaka, Wanga, Namuluku, and Nanyungu, it is the only forest in Busia County and plays a crucial role in nourishing the Yala Swamp,” he wrote.
Namwamba, speaking from his role as Kenya’s Ambassador to the United Nations Office at Nairobi and the United Nations Environment Program, explained why he adopted this forest for sustained regeneration.
“In my capacity as Kenya’s Ambassador to the United Nations Office at Nairobi (UNON) and the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), I adopted the Port Victoria Forest alongside three other natural ecosystems across Kenya (Arabuko Sokoke Forest in Kilifi County, Kwale County Mangrove Forest and Cheptais Forest Block of Mt. Elgon), for purposes of sustained regeneration and protection,” he wrote.
He visited the forest this week to review ongoing tree-planting efforts and community engagement along Mumbaka hill, emphasizing the importance of local participation.
“This week I visited the Port Victoria Forest to inspect a block along Mumbaka hill where I led the local community and KFS to plant 1500 trees last year, an exercise that included the donation of hundreds of fruit tree seedlings to local homesteads. I have given my assurance that the good work we initiated here will continue under my successor at the Kenya Mission to UNON+UNEP,” he wrote.
Namwamba highlighted the critical state of Busia’s tree cover, which is significantly below the national average, and urged concerted efforts to restore the environment.
“At below 1.0%, Busia has among the lowest forest cover rates in Kenya, way below the national average of just under 10% (in itself still quite low). Everyone must do more to grow and nurture our environs for our own good and for the good of our children and their children,” the statement reads.
He noted that the visit included Kenya Forest Service officers and staff from his office, signaling coordinated action to protect the forest.
“I was accompanied by Kenya Forest Service Officers and staff from my office,” he wrote.