admin | June 19, 2025
News Brief
In Kakuma, northern Kenya, girls are transforming the invasive mathenge tree into furniture and green jobs. Sixteen-year-old Char Tito, a refugee from South Sudan, learned carpentry through a school project supported by the Girl Child Network. She now builds sturdy chairs from Prosopis juliflora, a thorny tree known for harming livestock and ecosystems. Ms. Tito says, “I’m proud of myself. I’m contributing to environmental protection.” The project trains girls in carpentry and tree planting, aligning with Kenya’s climate goals. Nearly 900,000 trees have been planted in Kakuma and Dadaab refugee camps.
In Kakuma, northern Kenya, a group of young girls is transforming a nuisance tree into a source of income and environmental hope. At Kakuma Arid Zone Secondary School, 16-year-old Char Tito hammers together a traditional chair using wood from Prosopis juliflora, known locally as mathenge.
Mathenge was introduced in Kenya in the 1970s to combat desertification. While it helped restore degraded lands, it has spread aggressively, drying up rivers and injuring livestock with its thorns. In Turkana County, many see it as a menace. But girls like Ms. Tito are turning the tables.
Ms. Tito, who arrived at Kakuma Refugee Camp in 2017 after fleeing conflict in South Sudan, recently learned carpentry through a school initiative supported by the Girl Child Network. She now builds sturdy chairs from the invasive mathenge wood, reducing dependence on costly plastic furniture. She says, “I didn’t know this tree could be used to make chairs. It’s a skill I can use for life.”
The school project teaches students green skills aligned with Kenya’s national climate goals. Trained students mentor others, spreading knowledge across the community.
Sixteen-year-old Magdalene Ngimoe, another student, is already planting trees at home and school despite the region’s scorching heat and water scarcity. She says, “I hate mathenge. It makes our lives difficult. But I am happy that I am using it to make chairs. I am also planting trees at school, which will provide shade to other students.”
Mathenge is now being used to build fences, livestock shelters, and furniture. Lewis Obam, a forestry expert, notes that while mathenge has a bad reputation, its hardwood is valuable and could be key to green jobs in the area.
Ms. Tito and her classmates are also planting trees to restore the region’s native biodiversity. Despite challenges, they carry water from home to help trees survive. Their efforts support Kenya’s goal to plant 15 billion trees by 2032.
Kakuma Refugee Camp hosts over 300,000 people. Thanks to the Girl Child Network and support from Education Above All, nearly 900,000 trees have been planted in Kakuma and Dadaab, with a target of 2.4 million. Schools also maintain nurseries to supply seedlings for the community.
Ms. Tito, whose dream is to become a doctor, finds carpentry and tree planting empowering. She says, “I am proud of myself. I am contributing to environmental protection.”
This story is based on an article written by Farai Shawn Matiashe for Interpress News Service, titled “Girls in Kenya Are Repurposing the Invasive Mathenge Tree Into Furniture” To read the full story, go to: https://www.ipsnews.net/2025/06/girls-in-kenya-are-repurposing-the-invasive-mathenge-tree-into-furniture/
Photo: Magdalene Ngimoe and Char Tito, learners at Kakuma Arid Zone Secondary School, making chairs from mathenge wood. Credit: Farai Shawn Matiashe/IPS