The Arabuko Sokoke forest is one of the most important and extensive green lungs on the Kenyan coast and at the same time a recently declared World Heritage ecosystem. Yet human conflict and poverty, made even more critical by the economic crisis and climate change that have negatively affected East Africa, are threatening it.

Every day, trees and plants are cut down to turn their wood into charcoal, a cheaper method, although declared illegal, for cooking and creating heat for other services in villages and homes. But the subsoil, where valuable minerals and even oil could be hidden, is also at risk.

Francis Kagema of Nature Kenya will speak about the current situation in the Arabuko Sokoke forest today, starting at 4pm at the Malindi Heritage Complex of the National Museum. As part of the monthly meetings organised by the Malindi Museum Society, Kagema will deliver a mini-lecture on the subject. Admission is free even for non-members. But we recommend that you get an MMS card, with which you can enter all Kenyan museums for free.