I&M Bank, through its philanthropic arm, the I&M Foundation, has pledged Ksh 162 million towards the first phase of ‘Project Imarisha Ngong’ Forest,’ a transformative environmental initiative. The project aims to fence, restore, and develop crucial infrastructure within Ngong Forest, a vital green space in Nairobi.
The unveiling ceremony was attended by prominent dignitaries, including outgoing Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change, and Forestry, Aden Duale, I&M Bank Executive Director Sarit Raja-Shah, Kenya Forest Service (KFS) Chief Conservator of Forests (CCF) Alex Lemarkoko, and I&M Bank Founder and Chairman Emeritus S.B.R. Shah.
During the event, CS Duale underscored the economic and social significance of preserving Nairobi’s green spaces, stating, “Environmental conservation is not just a duty but an essential investment. We commend I&M Foundation’s leadership in ensuring this vision becomes a reality.”
Sarit Raja-Shah detailed the key developments under the initiative, including the construction of ranger housing—comprising apartment units and three-bedroom bungalows—to enhance forest security. Other developments include drilling boreholes, installing water tanks to aid seedling survival, and building six modern ablution blocks for public use. Additionally, two new access gates will be installed at the Southern Bypass and Kibera to improve security and accessibility.
Aligning with Kenya’s ambitious target of planting 15 billion trees by 2032, Raja-Shah reaffirmed I&M Group’s commitment to sustainability. “Through projects like Ngong Forest, we aim to positively impact 10 million lives by 2026. This is just the beginning, and we invite like-minded organizations to join us,” he said.
Since signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with KFS in April 2024, the project has made significant strides. Community engagement exercises in Dagoretti South, Kibera, and Lang’ata have been conducted, along with securing an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) license from NEMA. Key accomplishments include clearing invasive species, rehabilitating three hectares of degraded forest, constructing 35 kilometers of nature trails, and installing five kilometers of electrified fencing.
KFS Chief Conservator Alex Lemarkoko emphasized that revitalizing Ngong Forest would ease the pressure on Karura Forest, which receives over 70,000 visitors monthly. “This sanctuary is not just a forest; it is a critical ecosystem at the heart of Nairobi,” he noted.
Marking five years of impactful initiatives, the I&M Foundation continues to allocate 2% of the bank’s annual Profit Before Tax (PBT) towards social and environmental projects. Its sustainability efforts extend beyond Kenya to Uganda, Rwanda, and Mauritius, reinforcing its commitment to conservation.
