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Mt Kenya Trust (MKT) & Safarilink Partnership

The Mt Kenya Trust (MKT) is dedicated to the long-term conservation of the Mt Kenya National Reserve‚ working to preserve biodiversity while mitigating human-wildlife conflicts‚ particularly human-elephant conflicts that threaten both conservation efforts and local livelihoods. MKT undertakes forest surveillance through community scouts‚ manages electric fencing‚ supports women-led tree nurseries‚ and promotes afforestation and conservation education in schools.

Safarilink’s Commitment to Conservation

Safarilink has proudly supported Mt Kenya Trust since 2009‚ playing an active role in afforestation and carbon offset programs. As the first local airline to become carbon neutral‚ Safarilink’s partnership with MKT contributes significantly to forest restoration and community empowerment.

Key Areas of Support:

✅ Tree Planting & Carbon Offset

  • Initially‚ Safarilink funded 3‚500 seedlings annually.
  • In 2017‚ the partnership was scaled up to support 8‚000 seedlings per year.
  • To date‚ Safarilink has enabled the planting of over 52‚000 seedlings across the Irangi and Ontulili Forest Station sites‚ enhancing forest cover and restoring degraded lands.

✅ Community Empowerment

  • Safarilink supports women’s groups managing tree nurseries in Ontulili‚ Irangi‚ and Sirimon‚ providing them with nursery equipment‚ training‚ and funding.
  • The Ontulili Women’s Group and Kianjogu Mwanzo Women’s Group have played a vital role in growing‚ nurturing‚ and planting seedlings.
  • Women’s groups handle nursery bed preparation‚ seed planting‚ and seedling care for up to 18–24 months before planting in reforestation sites.

✅ Educational & Logistical Support

  • Safarilink sponsors discounted and free tickets for MKT staff traveling between Nairobi and Nanyuki for conservation work.
  • The airline funded the printing of 1‚000 copies of the MKT ecology booklet in 2013‚ which was distributed to schools for environmental education.
  • A training trip for Ontulili women’s group members was facilitated‚ allowing them to learn from Irangi women’s groups and expand their knowledge in sustainable afforestation.

Impact & Future Goals

With continued support from Safarilink‚ Mt Kenya Trust aims to:

  • Increase tree planting efforts to further mitigate climate change and promote carbon sequestration.
  • Expand community-based conservation programs to empower more local women and youth.
  • Strengthen wildlife protection measures through surveillance and electric fencing projects.

Safarilink remains committed to supporting conservation efforts in Kenya and beyond‚ reinforcing our role as a sustainable airline that actively contributes to environmental preservation and community development.

Learn More: Mount Kenya Trust