About us

Muguga Ecosystem Research Community Forest Association (MERCFA) is a group formed and registered in 2009 by community members living adjacent to Muguga forest in Central Highlands Forest Conservancy, Kenya. MERCFA formation was after community realized that the goods and services (firewood, building materials herbal medicine, fodder and services of clean environment, education, picnic and other cultural festivities held in this forest) they benefited from the forest over the last 50 years had gone low. This was also favoured by Kenya Government enactment of the Forest Conservation and Management Act (FCMA) 2016 allowing community participation in forest management through legally recognized structures of Community Forest Associations (CFAs).

MERCFA is operating within Muguga forest station in Kiambu County, 25 km North of Nairobi city-Kenya. Muguga forest covers 600 hectares of both indigenous and exotic tree species and supports over 40,000 persons in adjacent areas.  Management of Muguga forest is shared by Kenya Forest Service (KFS) on industrial plantations while the Kenya Forestry Research Institute (KEFRI) manages research demonstration plots including two remnant indigenous forest plots (Gachuthi-30 and Gatuikira-17 hectares)

Simon Kamonde - Chairperson MERCFA