ROOTS OF HOPE: MFANGANO YOUTH PARLIAMENT’S GREEN REVOLUTION

Nestled in the shimmering waters of Lake Victoria lies Mfangano Island, located in Suba West sub-county, Homa Bay, Kenya. Once a lush green paradise, where indigenous trees and wild fruit trees danced in the breeze, and birdsong filled the air. But over the past few decades, the island’s green cover has been steadily disappearing, swallowed by the flames of charcoal burning, cleared for farming plots, and replaced by a growing fishing economy that often overlooks the fragile balance of nature.

Deforestation on Mfangano Island did not happen overnight. It crept in slowly and silently — one tree cut for charcoal, another cleared for maize, another for house construction, others lost to uncontrolled development. As the island’s population grew, so did the demand for firewood and farmland. Charcoal burning became a major source of income, especially in areas where fishing was not available, such as Soklo (the highest area on the island). Employment opportunities were also scarce in Mfangano. But each sack of charcoal came at a heavy cost: the loss of indigenous trees that had anchored the ecosystem for generations.

This environmental crisis prompted the emergence of the Mfangano Youth Parliament community-based organisation. Determined to rewrite the island’s story, this youth-led organisation is channelling the energy and voice of Mfangano’s youth into climate action. Recognising that tree planting is not just about planting saplings but about restoring the ecosystem and ensuring a future for generations to come, the group established the first-ever tree nursery on Mfangano Island — a groundbreaking effort in a place where conservation had long taken a back seat.

This nursery is more than just a collection of seedlings. It’s a symbol of resistance against environmental degradation. Managed by trained youths, the nursery propagates indigenous trees that are germinated under local island conditions, which are critical to the local ecosystem. The parliament engages communities through awareness campaigns in schools, barazas, community groups and churches, encouraging a culture of reforestation and sustainable land use.

The effects of the Youth Parliament’s efforts are beginning to bear fruit. Areas once barren are slowly turning green again. Farmers are being taught how to integrate trees into their agricultural practices through agroforestry, reducing the need to clear new land. The Next Level Grant Facility (NLGF) provided the opportunity to scale up the work in Mfangano Island. Fishing communities are being educated about the link between deforestation and the declining fish stocks they depend on.

The tree nursery is now a hub of knowledge, hope, and resilience. With every sapling that takes root, the youth of Mfangano are reclaiming their heritage and safeguarding the island’s future.

Mfangano Island still faces many challenges — the shadow of deforestation is gradually being lifted, with the dedication of its youth, guided by vision and grounded in action, a greener and more sustainable future is within reach. The Mfangano Youth Parliament is proving that even on an island, big change is possible — and it can begin with just one seed.