The Kenya Forest Service (KFS), through SFS-CORECC Project, is working on an initiative of the Government of Kenya in partnership with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), which has concluded a successful two-day Melia Timber Awareness Creation Tour in Kitui County that aims at promoting sustainable timber production and value addition.
The tour was held for two days from February 03 to 04, 2026. It has brought together stakeholders in the timber value chain, including timber and furniture manufacturers and traders drawn from major timber and furniture markets in Nairobi, notably in Ngong Road and Utawala upmarkets. The engagement sought to enhance their understanding of Melia tree characteristics, market potential, and potential sustainable utilisation.
During the tour, participants were informed that Melia timber possesses physical and mechanical properties comparable to those of mahogany, a premium hardwood species that was mainly imported from the Congo Basin. Mahogany currently dominates the hardwood trade in the Nairobi upmarkets.
However, as future supplies of mahogany cannot be guaranteed due to increasing pressure on natural forests and restrictions on harvesting and trade, the promotion of sustainably grown Melia was emphasised as a viable and locally available alternative to mahogany for furniture making and other high-value wood products.
Such activities included a briefing at the KFS Kitui Office, where timber value chain stakeholders received a presentation on the Melia timber production and value addition, followed by visits to several local timber yards, furniture workshops and a showroom within Kitui Town to assess processing practices, products, and market dynamics.
In addition, the delegation visited Nyumbani Village, where participants engaged with community-based timber processing facilities. There they observed on-ground use of Melia timber, visited large melia plantations, and held a feedback session to capture lessons and recommendations.
Furthermore, the participants expressed satisfaction with the ongoing efforts to promote locally available hardwood species and pledged to embrace Melia timber once it becomes consistently available in the market.
During the tour SFS-CORECC Project officers were present and led by the Commercial Forestry Promotion Manager – Beatrice Atemo, JICA expert – Mochizuki and representatives from the JICA Kenya Office – Osindi and Ose.
The initiative forms part of ongoing efforts by KFS and partners to strengthen commercial forestry, promote sustainable livelihoods, greening of ASALs and encourage sustainable management of forest resources, in line with the ongoing 15-Billion tree growing initiative under the National Landscape and Ecosystem Restoration Strategy.