What began as a hopeful solution to desertification in Kenya has spiraled into an environmental disaster. The mesquite tree, native to South America and known locally as mathenge, was introduced to East Africa in 1948. However, it wasn’t until the 1970s that the shrub became popular. Now, the shrub dominates vast rangelands, displacing communities, killing livestock, and threatening biodiversity. Deep-rooted and invasive, it depletes water sources, chokes rivers, and worsens disease outbreaks. In places like Samburu, where pastoralism is a way of life, the plant has upended livelihoods. Yet amid the chaos, locals like John Lmakato are fighting back by turning mathenge into livestock feed and charcoal. While community-led innovations show promise, experts warn that large-scale interventions are essential to prevent further ecological collapse.
The Guardian
