The Quest For Afforestation Programmes In Response To Climate Changes In East Africa: A Scoping Review
Journal of Research Innovation and Implications in Education (JRIIE)
Download
Abstract: This scoping review investigates afforestation initiatives as mechanisms for mitigating climate change within East Africa, with an emphasis on Kenya's highland regions. It explores structural enablers and constraints influencing policy uptake and program success across 25 peer-reviewed studies published between 2019 and 2022. The analysis applies the PRISMA-ScR framework and identifies key themes, such as cultural resistance to tree planting, politicization of reforestation efforts, inadequate funding, and gender disparities in resource access. In contrast, success factors included community sensitization, donor-backed incentives, multi-stakeholder partnerships, and institutional capacity building. It also considers the role of traditional ecological knowledge in afforestation models and calls for coordinated regional policy approaches in alignment with the Sendai Framework. The review concludes with recommendations on integrating afforestation into national development priorities, scaling community-driven approaches, and strengthening monitoring and evaluation metrics for long-term impact.