The Kenya Forestry Research Institute (KEFRI) has entered into a formal partnership with Riziki Nature-Based Solutions Ltd to manage the spread of Prosopis juliflora, locally known as the Mathenge weed. This Memorandum of Understanding, signed in January 2026, establishes a framework for controlling the invasive species across Kenya’s arid and semi-arid lands. The collaboration focuses on systematic removal of the weed from agricultural and pastoral lands and the subsequent conversion of the resulting biomassBiomass is a complex biological organic or non-organic solid product derived from living or recently living organism and available naturally. Various types of wastes such as animal manure, waste paper, sludge and many industrial wastes are also treated as biomass because like natural biomass these More into value-added products. This initiative represents a strategic shift toward utilizing invasive species as a feedstockFeedstock refers to the raw organic material used to produce biochar. This can include a wide range of materials, such as wood chips, agricultural residues, and animal manure. More for carbon-sequestering materials, aligning national environmental research with private-sector implementation.

The primary challenge addressed by this partnership is the ecological and economic devastation caused by Mathenge since its introduction in the 1970s. Originally intended for land rehabilitation, the species has become a national disaster, aggressively displacing indigenous vegetation and encroaching upon 50 square kilometers in regions like Baringo South alone. The weed obstructs waterways, renders livestock toothless due to its physical characteristics, and blocks critical infrastructure. Previous attempts to commercialize the biomass, including a large-scale power generation project in 2014, failed due to logistical complexities. Consequently, the core obstacle has been identifying a sustainable and decentralized method to incentivize the removal of high-volume, invasive biomass.

To resolve these issues, KEFRI and Riziki Nature-Based Solutions are implementing a destumping technique that ensures complete removal of the plant to prevent regeneration. The collected biomass is then processed into biocharBiochar is a carbon-rich material created from biomass decomposition in low-oxygen conditions. It has important applications in environmental remediation, soil improvement, agriculture, carbon sequestration, energy storage, and sustainable materials, promoting efficiency and reducing waste in various contexts while addressing climate change challenges. More, a solution that transforms a liability into a soil amendmentA soil amendment is any material added to the soil to enhance its physical or chemical properties, improving its suitability for plant growth. Biochar is considered a soil amendment as it can improve soil structure, water retention, nutrient availability, and microbial activity.   More. This approach provides a practical end-use for the invasive wood that does not require the massive infrastructure of traditional power plants. By training local communities in these techniques, the partnership creates a localized circular economy where the invasive threat is removed and returned to the soil as a stable carbon sink, improving water retention and microbial activity in the very regions most affected by the weed.

The anticipated outcomes of this collaboration include the restoration of native biodiversity and the creation of sustainable livelihoods for rural Kenyan communities. By integrating biochar production into invasive species management, KEFRI aims to meet national landscape restoration goals and mitigate climate impacts through verifiable carbon sequestration. The transition from simple eradication to value-addition ensures that farmers have a financial and agricultural incentive to participate in the program. Ultimately, this partnership serves as a model for addressing biological invasions by leveraging clean technology to turn environmental threats into productive assets for soil health and climate resilience.