Protecting Our Planet, Securing Our Future
Wire Forest Management Association (WIFOMA) is a registered community forest association under the registrar of societies of Kenya. It was established in the year 2013 due to necessity for interventions geared towards conserving Wire Forest. It has membership of 806 registered farmers,150 youth, 400 women and 252 men.
The association is governed by highly capable Management Committee (MC) with diverse skills and expertise that ensure successful growth and sustainable development. They are dedicated to preserving forests, protecting the climate and improve livelihoods.
WIFOMA envisages an empowered community to conserve and sustainably manage Wire Forest and its allied resources for improved livelihood.
We collaborate with communities and relevant development stakeholders in championing for the conservation of Wire Forest and usage of forest products to empower community for self-reliance, improved livelihoods and prosperity.
To restore and conserve 399 hectares of degraded wire forest landscapes and ecosystems towards achieving 50% tree cover that will contribute to improving biodiversity conservation, environmental sustainability, better livelihoods, socio-economic development and climate resilience.
Wire forest stands in between the three locations of Kachien, North Kamagak and west kamagak Kasipul Division in Rachuonyo south district; it is managed by Kenya Forest service (KFS) in collaboration with Community Forest association called Wire Forest Management Association (WIFOMA)CFA and occupies 399hac.The name Wire as in luo language “WIRO” which means anoint with oil. Wire has several hill tops such as Got Agoro, Nyadundo, Oenji, Ira, Ranguru, Got Nyaksai among others. The hill was used by the luo elders in the ancient days as prayer points when the rains and the communities were faced with imminent famine after prolonged drought.
The region had many rivers flowing right from the hill to Lake Victoria, rainfall also started from the hill; it actually acted as a big water reservoir that flooded the region.
In the year 1963 downwards, it had a lot of indigenous species rich in cultural biodiversity such Aremo, Anjago, Adugo, Aremo, Athuno, Ochuoga, Kuogo, Sangla, Arupiny, Pedo, Amoyo, among others. The trees of high medicinal value include Simba rara, Ochuoga, Atego, Pedon and many others. The trees that produce fruits include Chwa, kuomu, Nyamit Aminga, Nyatongolo, Jwelu etc.
However, the increased population including those of civil servants such teachers, emergence of developments, expansion of oyugis market then, now town-, created ready market and high demand for timber, charcoal. fire wood and other forest related products. These factors pushed and pulled the community living around the forest to carryout illegal logging for timber and bricks burning, charcoal burning for sales, and firewood to eke out a living. There were also incidences of forest fires from charcoal burning. These activities resulted into massive destruction of the forest leading to loss of biodiversity, serious soil erosion, erratic and reduced rainfall around the area. The situation was made worse by the negative impacts of climatic changes.
However, the trend is steadily improving through symbiotic strategic working partnerships between Wire Forest management Association (WIFOMA)CFA, Kenya Forest Services KFS and other stakeholders.
We believe in the power of partnerships and collaboration and understand that tackling the challenges of poverty, health, education, environment and climate change is complex and can only be achieved by working with others towards shared objectives.
At WIFOMA CFA, our strength lies in the passion, dedication, and local knowledge of our people. From field coordinators to youth ambassadors and technical advisors, our team works hand-in-hand with communities to deliver lasting impact.
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Our impact Entirely reliant on voluntary contributions
Latest News & Updates
We are excited to champion the Tree Growing Initiative across our schools, colleges, and other learning institutions around Wire Forest in partnership with The Mango Tree Orphan Support Trust – Kenya . Today we were joined by learners, students and teachers from various schools where we distributed 6,000 seedlings of Casuarina equisetifolia also known as […]
Today, we were joined by the Protocol Team from the State Department of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Kenya Regional Forest Conservator (RFC) – Nyanza conservancy, Homa Bay County Forest Conservator (CFC), the Station manager – Wire Station, The Mango Tree Orphan Support Trust – Kenya representative and the Members of Wire Forest Management […]
This is one of the Phase one Cluster groups who graduated this year. This project has created an alternative source of income and sustainable livelihoods. Through our partnership with The Mango Tree Orphan Support Trust – Kenya more than 200 women living around the forest have been impacted positively. Currently they supply vegetables to the […]
