Avatari Development Kenya

With winding tidal creeks, emerald mangrove forests alive with birdsong, and roots that breathe between land and sea, Kenya’s coast is one of the most magical ecosystems on Earth.

Two people working in a muddy area with green trees in the background. One person is crouching and planting something into the wet soil, while the other is standing nearby, observing, wearing a hat and casual clothing.

The muddy coastal flats, rich with silt and saltwater, provide the perfect ground for young mangroves to take root. Experienced planters know to return with the tides, when the soil is soft and the water calm, to give each seedling the best chance to thrive.

Mangroves Protect, Nurture and Sustain Life

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Map of Lamu County, Kenya, showing mangrove management blocks, swamps, towns, and trade centers with color-coded categories for different levels of mangrove degradation and ocean area.

Changes in mangrove cover in Lamu from 2010-2019

Series of maps showing changes in mangrove extent near the Indian Ocean from 1989 to 2020. Top left map from 1989, top right from 1999, bottom left from 2009, bottom right from 2020. Maps include locations of towns Kipini and Ozi, water bodies, and legend indicating water, mangrove extent, and non-mangrove areas. A scale bar at the bottom shows distances in kilometers.

Changes in mangrove cover in Tana River from 1989-2020

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What have we been up to so far…

To kickstart our mangrove restoration journey, we attended International Mangroves Day on 26th July, hosted by Mr. James Mburu, Regional Conservator of the Coast for KFS. The event united Kenya’s coastal conservation community — including KMFRI, the Ministry of Environment, and organisations like COMRED — in celebrating mangrove restoration efforts.

Throughout the day, we heard inspiring messages on the value of mangrove restoration and blue carbon — from community groups to the Cabinet Secretary. The discussions reinforced a shared belief: restoring mangroves is vital for biodiversity, coastal resilience, and the livelihoods of the people who depend on them.

The event left us inspired and motivated to keep advancing our efforts — accelerating meaningful reforestation projects that create lasting impact along Kenya’s coastline.

July 2025

October 2025

We were honoured to be invited by Binitah from WWF-Kenya to officially join the Global Mangrove Alliance – Kenya Chapter. Our CEO, Harry Cook, had the opportunity to introduce our company during the workshop and share our commitment to restoring Kenya’s mangrove ecosystems.

It was truly inspiring to hear from so many dedicated organizations working toward the same goal — including Wetlands International Eastern Africa, Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute (KMFRI), Kenya Forest Service, COMRED, COBEC Projects, The Nature Conservancy in Africa, and CFA representatives from Lamu, among others. The event reinforced the power of collaboration in driving real, lasting coastal conservation across Kenya.

A man in a blue shirt giving a presentation to an audience seated at tables using laptops in a conference room with light curtains and ceiling lights.

A man in a light gray shirt giving a presentation to a group of people in a conference room, with a large screen displaying an aerial view of green trees and a whiteboard behind him.

November 2025

What an incredible event! We had the pleasure of being formally introduced to the Community Forest Association (CFA) representatives from Chara and Kipini — two of our proposed project sites within Tana River County.

The CFA members represent the local communities who will serve as stewards and partners in this mangrove restoration initiative. During the workshop, we listened to their insights on the current threats facing mangroves and their expectations for the project’s future.

We also had the opportunity to share our vision — explaining who we are, how carbon credits work, and how communities will directly benefit. Under the Kenyan Climate Change Act (2024), participating communities will receive 40% of the project’s net annual income, along with wages from planting and monitoring, and support for alternative livelihoods such as beekeeping, crab farming, and eco-tourism.

Our sincere thanks go to the Kenya Forest Service for organizing and chairing the workshop, and to the dedicated team that made it possible — including the GIS expert, Mangrove Officer, County Forest Conservator, and Forest Station Managers. A special appreciation to Mr. James Mburu, Regional Forest Conservator – Coast, for his invaluable leadership and continued support.

Group of diverse men and women gathered outdoors in front of a beige building with windows, facilitating a community or organizational event, with banners visible on either side. community meet up with team

A man giving a presentation in front of a slide that contains text about mangrove restoration, with a window behind him showing a decorative iron grille and trees outside.

Three people standing outside in front of a banner for Avatari Development Kenya. The banner displays their vision and mission statements. The woman in the middle is wearing light blue pajamas, and the men on either side are dressed in dress shirts and dark pants.

A woman standing and speaking to an audience in a room with yellow walls and windows, with a banner in the background that reads "AVATARI DEVELOPMENT KENYA."

A group of people engaged in a discussion around a table, with notebooks, papers, and a whiteboard paper on the table, in a room with open windows and natural light.