About TGAK

Tree Growers Association of Kenya (TGAK) is a youth-led , community-centered organization restoring landscapes, building climate resilience and championing renewable energy solutions across Kenya.

Who We Are

Tree Growers Association of Kenya (TGAK) is a youth-led , community-centered organization restoring landscapes, building climate resilience and championing renewable energy solutions across Kenya.

To date, the Association has facilitated the planting of over 40,000 trees across Baringo, Uasin Gishu, Kajiado, Elgeyo Marakwet, Nandi, Nyamira, Kisii, Trans Nzoia, Bungoma, Vihiga, Kisumu, and Narok counties, while actively promoting the adoption of renewable energy solutions such as biogas and solar.

Cathy Offices, Lenana Road
P.O. Box 4779 - 00100, Nairobi
Kennedy Kimutai β€” Nursery & Restoration Lead, Tree Growers Association of Kenya
Lily Tanui - Founder & Director of TGAK

Lily Tanui

Founder & Director

Founder Highlight

Lily Tanui

Founder of the Tree Growers Association of Kenya, a Yale Young Global Scholars (YYGS) alumna, and recipient of the Society for Ecological Restoration (SER) Award for Excellence in Restoration – Africa, Lily Tanui is an environmental engineer and sustainability professional working closely with community members and farmers to implement nature-based solutions that restore landscapes, enhance climate resilience, and improve livelihoods.

Through community-driven reforestation, farm forestry, and sustainable land-management practices, she leads efforts that empower households to adapt to climate impacts while building long-term environmental and economic stability.

πŸŽ“ Yale Young Global ScholarπŸ† SER Excellence Award - Africa🌱 Environmental Engineer
Joan Chepkoech β€” Renewable Energy Expert, Tree Growers Association of Kenya

Joan Chepkoech

Renewable Energy Expert

Team Highlight

Joan Chepkoech

Joan Chepkoech is an accomplished electrical engineer with a strong specialization in solar renewable energy. Driven by a deep passion for environmental sustainability, she champions innovative clean-energy solutions that support sustainable ecosystems. Her commitment to green transformation aligns with the TGAK vision, making her a valuable advocate for sustainable environmental solutions.

⚑ Solar Energy Specialist🌱 Sustainability AdvocateπŸ› οΈ Electrical Engineer
Gibson Kipruto β€” Communications & Outreach Coordinator, Tree Growers Association of Kenya

Gibson Kipruto

Communications & Outreach Coordinator

Team Highlight

Gibson Kipruto

Gibson is TGAK's Communications & Outreach Coordinator. He brings extensive experience in community engagement, media relations, and storytelling to elevate TGAK's work. A natural communicator, Gibson builds bridges with local partners, coordinates awareness campaigns, and helps the organization share its impact with diverse audiences.

With strong interpersonal skills and a passion for connecting people, he supports outreach efforts that expand participation, mobilize volunteers, and raise visibility for our reforestation and renewable energy projects.

πŸ“£ Communications Specialist🀝 Community EngagementπŸ—£οΈ Media & Outreach
Cyprian Ogoti β€” Environmental Journalist, Tree Growers Association of Kenya

Cyprian Ogoti

Environmental Journalist

Team Highlight

Cyprian Ogoti

Cyprian Ogoti is an environmental journalist who documents the intersection of people, nature, and development across Africa. With a sharp focus on climate change, biodiversity conservation, land and water management, and environmental health, he produces investigative pieces and features that translate scientific evidence and policy debates into accessible, context-rich stories. Cyprian frequently centers the perspectives of local and indigenous communities and highlights how climate risks and environmental degradation affect vulnerable and marginalized groups.

Beyond reporting, Cyprian interrogates institutions, corporations, and government policies to promote accountability and better environmental governance. His work blends in-depth investigation with analytical commentary and public-interest storytelling to influence policy, elevate community-led solutions, and foster informed public engagement around climate justice and sustainable development.

πŸ“ Environmental Journalism🌍 Climate & Governanceβš–οΈ Environmental JusticeπŸ”Ž Investigative Reporting
Kennedy Kimutai β€” Nursery & Restoration Lead, Tree Growers Association of Kenya

Kennedy Kimutai

Nursery & Restoration Lead

Photo: TGAK

Team Highlight

Kennedy Kimutai

Kennedy Kimutai is a civil engineer with a strong focus on tree nursery establishment, landscape restoration, and conservation. He has raised over 300,000 tree seedlings, creating green employment opportunities for youth in Uasin Gishu County.

For the past seven years, Kennedy has been actively involved in restoring degraded landscapes while empowering young people through practical skills and sustainable livelihoods. His work is driven by a deep passion for environmental conservation alongside the need to create meaningful employment.

At Tree Growers Association of Kenya, Kennedy is a valuable asset, supporting tree species selection, nursery management, and quality assurance, ensuring that restoration initiatives are both ecologically sound and impactful.

🌱 Nursery Specialist🌿 Landscape RestorationπŸ‘· Civil Engineer

Our Commitment to the SDGs

TGAK's work is deeply aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Through community-driven environmental action, we advance multiple SDGs simultaneously, demonstrating how climate solutions can create jobs, expand energy access, and lift communities out of poverty.

SDG 1 - No Poverty

No Poverty

End poverty in all its forms everywhere

Through sustainable forestry and agroforestry, we create income opportunities for smallholder farmers while restoring degraded land, helping households escape poverty through environmental action.

SDG 7 - Affordable and Clean Energy

Affordable and Clean Energy

Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable energy

We promote renewable energy and clean cooking alternatives like biogas and solar, reducing dependence on firewood, improving health outcomes, and protecting forests.

SDG 13 - Climate Action

Climate Action

Take urgent action to combat climate change

Our tree planting and nature-based solutions directly address climate change by sequestering carbon, strengthening ecosystem resilience, and building community adaptive capacity.

SDG 15 - Life on Land

Life on Land

Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems

We restore degraded land, protect water sources, and strengthen ecosystems through community-led tree planting and sustainable land management practices.

SDG 17 - Partnerships for the Goals

Partnerships for the Goals

Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize partnerships

We work with Kenya Forest Service, local governments, schools, NGOs, and private farmers to scale impact, strengthen policy engagement, and ensure local action contributes to national and global sustainability targets.

Our SDG-aligned approach ensures that climate action creates jobs, expands energy access, and lifts communities out of poverty.

We bring grassroots environmental solutions from Africa to inform global policy and investment.

Our Purpose

Driven by a commitment to environmental stewardship and community empowerment

πŸ‘οΈ

Our Vision

β€œTo Save Mother Nature.”

🎯

Our Mission

To mobilize the communities, organizations and individuals to share and participate in tree growing by planting trees and using green energy hence increasing forest cover.

Our Theory of Change

TGAK believes that restoration succeeds when communities lead the change. By building local capacity, providing technical guidance, and strengthening partnerships with schools, county governments, and environmental actors, we empower communities to:

🌱

Grow & Sustain

Trees within their own landscapes

🌍

Improve

Soil health, biodiversity, and water resources

⚑

Transition

To renewable and clean household energy

πŸ’ͺ

Strengthen

Climate resilience and local livelihoods

This community-driven model ensures ownership, sustainability, and long-term impact.

Our Values

The principles that guide our work and partnerships

🀝

Collaboration

Partnering across sectors to scale impact and share knowledge.

πŸ›‘οΈ

Integrity

Acting transparently and responsibly to earn and maintain community trust.

🌍

Inclusion

Ensuring diverse voices are welcomed and empowered in decision-making.

♻️

Sustainability

Prioritizing long-term ecological health and resilient livelihoods.

πŸ’‘

Innovation

Adopting creative, evidence-based solutions for restoration and energy access.

Our Journey

Key milestones in our mission to save Mother Nature

2016

TGAK founded and registered under the Societies Act (2012)

2017

First community nursery established in Baringo County

2019

Expanded operations to Uasin Gishu and Kajiado counties

2021

Launched school greening programs across 5 counties

2023

Reached 40,000+ trees planted milestone

2024

Partnership with SFS-CORECC project for climate-resilient species

Why partner with us

We bring local experience, proven approaches, and strong accountability to deliver lasting restoration outcomes.

Established grassroots presence

Across multiple counties, we work directly with communities to build local ownership.

Mobilization capacity

Proven ability to mobilize farmers, youth, and communities for restoration activities.

Technical experience

Experience in nature-based solutions, agroforestry, and farmer-centered models aligned with national restoration priorities.

Governance & recognition

Strong governance and accountability, with growing national and international recognition.

Join Our Mission

Partner with us to restore Kenya's landscapes and build climate-resilient communities.