KEFRI CEO Dr. Jane Njuguna Champions United Strategy to Curb Invasive Prosopis juliflora
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By John Kariuki
Muguga, Kenya – KEFRI CEO Dr. Jane Njuguna has sounded the alarm on the escalating threat of Prosopis juliflora, commonly known as Mathenge, calling for urgent and coordinated action to combat its spread across Kenya’s arid and semi-arid lands (ASALs).
Speaking during a high-level pre-conference dialogue at KEFRI Headquarters, Dr. Njuguna outlined the institute’s dual approach to containing the invasive species—mechanical removal and biological control. A key highlight was the use of Algorobius prosopis, a natural weevil predator that attacks the seeds and pods of Prosopis, showing promising results in slowing the plant’s propagation.
“This weed is accelerating desertification, depleting water sources, and choking biodiversity,” said Dr. Njuguna. “But it can also be turned into an opportunity by creating green jobs through sustainable harvesting for charcoal and biomass energy.”
Despite early progress, Dr. Njuguna emphasized the need to scale efforts and called on stakeholders—from government agencies to communities and private sector players—to support a sustainable and inclusive eradication strategy.
She stressed that land reclamation and invasive species management should not be siloed efforts, but rather national priorities backed by strong partnerships and funding.
KEFRI’s proactive stance, under Dr. Njuguna’s leadership, positions the institute at the forefront of Kenya’s environmental conservation efforts. Her call to action reflects a growing recognition that the fight against Prosopis juliflora is as much about ecological survival as it is about unlocking economic opportunities for Kenya’s most vulnerable regions.
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