28/05/2026
Today, the National Forest Products Research programme (Karura) hosted a successful Open Day at the Karura Centre, bringing together internal and external stakeholders to showcase innovative forest based technologies, products and research initiatives geared towards sustainable development and green livelihoods.
The day offered visitors an opportunity to explore how science, research and innovation are transforming forest resources into valuable products and technologies that support communities, industries and environmental conservation.
Among the highlights were demonstrations on wood processing and utilization technologies, including improved kilns for efficient charcoal production, timber processing technologies and bamboo value addition. At the bamboo workshop, participants interacted with a variety of bamboo products and learned how bamboo is being processed into furniture, décor items and other value-added products through modern technologies developed and promoted by KEFRI.
Visitors also explored exhibitions on non-wood forest products developed from various tree species and natural resources. These included body lotions developed from Ximenia americana seed oil, aloe vera-based skincare products, activated charcoal soap refined from bamboo waste, processed guava products, wellness products, organic soaps and honey.
Tree seeds and seedlings such as Moringa oleifera and Leucaena leucocephala were also exhibited alongside educational materials aimed at promoting tree growing, agroforestry and public awareness on sustainable forestry practices.
The Open Day attracted several exhibitors and partners including PRIFE International, Bellafarm, SKELIR and the Kenya Forest Service (KFS), making the event an engaging platform for innovation, knowledge sharing and public interaction on the diverse opportunities within the forestry sector and forest product value chains.
We thank all our stakeholders for gracing the occasion and say Karibuni tena KEFRI.
