KILIFI, Kenya – In Kilifi County, butterfly farmers staged a peaceful but impassioned protest over alleged mismanagement of the Kipepeo Project, which operates within the Arabuko-Sokoke Forest—the largest tropical forest in East Africa.
The protest, which took place in Gede trading center, saw placard-bearing and twig-waving demonstrators march to the Gedi Museum, demanding accountability.
The farmers, representing over 800 individuals, voiced frustrations with alleged financial improprieties and unfair compensation for their contributions to the project.
The Kipepeo Project, which aims to promote sustainable livelihoods and forest conservation by marketing butterfly pupae, has long been a cornerstone of conservation efforts in the region.
However, the farmers claim they have been shortchanged, with one farmer, Samuel Katoi, alleging that KSh 1.26 million meant for the community has been misappropriated.
“We’re watching the forest die before our eyes because farmers, frustrated by the lack of benefits, have begun encroaching on and destroying it,” Katoi lamented.
He called for immediate intervention from President William Ruto and Kilifi Governor Gideon Mung’aro to safeguard the forest and the livelihoods it supports.
He also urged the Auditor General to conduct a thorough audit of the project’s finances and hold those responsible to account.
Tensions escalated when police from Gede and Watamu stations were deployed to monitor the demonstration, leading to the arrest of one protestor.
Despite the show of force, the protestors remained resolute, accusing project officials of bribing authorities to ignore their complaints.
Farmers Mwambire Kingi and Muramba Charo Nyule echoed Katoi’s concerns, stating that all attempts to seek assistance from local officials have been fruitless.
The Kipepeo Project, once hailed as a model of conservation and community involvement, now risks collapse as farmers threaten to abandon it, putting the forest itself at risk.
The protest, which took place in Gede trading center, saw placard-bearing and twig-waving demonstrators march to the Gedi Museum, demanding accountability.
The farmers, representing over 800 individuals, voiced frustrations with alleged financial improprieties and unfair compensation for their contributions to the project.
The Kipepeo Project, which aims to promote sustainable livelihoods and forest conservation by marketing butterfly pupae, has long been a cornerstone of conservation efforts in the region.
However, the farmers claim they have been shortchanged, with one farmer, Samuel Katoi, alleging that KSh 1.26 million meant for the community has been misappropriated.
“We’re watching the forest die before our eyes because farmers, frustrated by the lack of benefits, have begun encroaching on and destroying it,” Katoi lamented.
He called for immediate intervention from President William Ruto and Kilifi Governor Gideon Mung’aro to safeguard the forest and the livelihoods it supports.
He also urged the Auditor General to conduct a thorough audit of the project’s finances and hold those responsible to account.
Tensions escalated when police from Gede and Watamu stations were deployed to monitor the demonstration, leading to the arrest of one protestor.
Despite the show of force, the protestors remained resolute, accusing project officials of bribing authorities to ignore their complaints.
Farmers Mwambire Kingi and Muramba Charo Nyule echoed Katoi’s concerns, stating that all attempts to seek assistance from local officials have been fruitless.
The Kipepeo Project, once hailed as a model of conservation and community involvement, now risks collapse as farmers threaten to abandon it, putting the forest itself at risk.
