MTAKIMAU CFA members, supported by WWF-Kenya and the Kenya Forest Service (KFS), took the lead in restoring degraded areas across the 2,550-hectare Mtwapa-Takaungu-Kilifi mangrove landscape. They established a model mangrove nursery in Nzombere Village and received hands-on training in propagating indigenous species, nursery management, and enrichment planting. Using insights from PFMP mapping, they prioritized degraded patches for restoration. In June 2024, the community planted 21,786 seedlings—WWF-Kenya purchased 13,786 while the CFA contributed 8,000. The nursery, now producing over 10,000 seedlings, serves as both a restoration hub and a sustainable income source through seedling sales to restoration partners. Ongoing monthly monitoring ensures nursery health and supports long-term forest regeneration.

The MTAKIMAU Mangrove Participatory Forest Management Plan (PFMP) 2024–2028 guides the sustainable management of approximately 2,550 hectares of mangrove forest across Mtwapa, Takaungu, and Kilifi. Developed under Section 47(1) of the Forest Conservation and Management Act (2016), the plan resulted from a highly participatory process led by the Mtakimau Community Forest Association (CFA), in collaboration with the Kenya Forest Service (KFS), WWF-Kenya, and other local stakeholders.

The process began with community barazas that restructured and registered the CFA. Stakeholders then formed and trained a Local Planning Review Team (LPRT), which conducted forest assessments, household surveys, participatory mapping, and community dialogues. Together, they designed the PFMP to define sustainable forest use practices, identify conservation priorities, and establish equitable benefit-sharing mechanisms. The plan reflects community aspirations, ensures ecological integrity, and builds climate resilience. KFS and the CFA formalized their partnership by signing a legally binding Forest Management Agreement (FMA) based on this plan.

Successfully establishing and scaling a social enterprise like a pad factory requires careful coordination with government authorities and strict compliance with legal requirements. This building block focuses on creating a strong foundation by building trust, ensuring legality, and protecting the enterprise from future risks.

The first step involves informing local and national government bodies about your project plans and activities. Regular communication not only builds transparency and trust but also makes it easier to gain support when needed. It ensures that the enterprise is seen as a responsible and contributing part of the community's development.

Secondly, it is crucial to coordinate with local or provincial offices to confirm that the factory is located appropriately and meets all zoning, operational, and environmental requirements. Early consultation helps avoid future legal complications and promotes smoother project implementation.

Before any physical construction begins, the enterprise must complete all legal steps, such as securing land use permits, building approvals, and environmental clearances. This process prevents future disputes and ensures that the factory is legally protected at every stage.

If the enterprise plans to import machinery or raw materials from abroad (for example, from India and Chaina), it is essential to follow all import rules, including documentation and tax payments. Compliance with import regulations helps avoid customs delays, penalties, and additional operational costs.

Further, to operate legally in the market, the enterprise must register officially and gain approval to sell its products, such as sanitary pads. Official registration enhances the company’s credibility among customers, partners, and regulatory bodies, opening doors to wider distribution opportunities.

Finally, it is critical to insure the factory, machinery, and assets against potential risks like fire, natural disasters, burglary, or other damages. Having appropriate insurance coverage provides financial protection and ensures business continuity even during unforeseen events.

By following these structured steps, the enterprise not only secures its legal standing but also strengthens its reputation, improves sustainability, and creates a solid platform for growth and social impact.

FLR is a long-term investment and local communities desire short term benefits to support their households and change behaviour. The support from National Bank enabled communities to get jobs for the completion of silvicultural tasks.  

The Engineers’ Association prioritises research on native species, leading to breakthroughs in early emergence techniques for bamboo shoots, organic fertiliser production, and mixed planting of hickory and native herbs. These advancements not only address farmers’ technical challenges but also enhance biodiversity and ecosystem resilience. The Association has also contributed to the formulation of forest resource management standards for Lin’an District, ensuring scientific guidance for agroforestry development is rooted in local ecological conditions. 

Factory Layout Overview:

The sanitary pad production unit is located near an urban area to ensure easier access to distribution channels, skilled labor, and transport networks. The factory is built with concrete walls and insulated galvanized tin sheet roofing, providing durability and heat protection during warmer seasons.

• Total Area: 1,420 sq. ft
• Production Scale: Semi-scale
• Daily Output: 3,000 pads
• Key Areas: Raw material storage, production floor, office, break room, restroom, and an internal lab for testing pads

For visuals of the layout and machine placement, please refer to the gallery attached to this block.

Step-by-Step Production Workflow

1. Raw Material Collection
2. Banana Fiber Paper Shredding
3. Fluffy Absorbent Core Formation
4. Layer Assembly and UV Sterilization
5. Packaging and Storage

Note: Hygiene is a top priority. The factory adheres strictly to national hygiene standards and follows clear internal protocols to ensure product safety at every stage of production. For further insights on hygiene practices, see Solution name “Defining a Good Menstrual Pad: A User-Centered R&D Process in Nepal.”

Additional Documents Available in this Block:

• Detailed factory layout and production/material flow (PDF)
• Energy consumption overview (PDF)
• Cost estimation for setting up the factory (PDF)

As part of the process of developing a law enforcement strategy for Okomu National Park that is focused on crime prevention, and to build capacity of rangers of the park in data collection and analysis using Spatial Monitoring and Reporting Tool (SMART), SCERA organised a 5 days training workshop. The course aimed to build the capacity of ONP staff, national park service staff and SCERA staff in core SMART skills, and provide them with resources to support further training of protected area staff. The training/workshop was taught by a consultant TCHAKOUDEU KEHOU Stephane

More so, a 2-day training on Human Rights and Social Safeguards training took place. The same batch of rangers that were trained on SMART were the ones trained. After the training, a WhatsApp group was created for the consultant to continue to share information with the rangers