The net change in tree cover in Kenya has been negative, with a loss of over 402,000 hectares and a gain of approximately 117,000 hectares, resulting in a net loss of around 285,000 hectares. This equates to a 5.99% decrease in tree cover from the stable extent recorded.
The consequences of these losses are profound, affecting biodiversity, climate, and the livelihoods of communities dependent on forest resources. The recent fire incident in Isiolo County is a single event in a broader trend of environmental degradation that requires urgent attention and action to reverse the negative trajectory of Kenya's forest cover.