Greening Mua Environmental Initiative (GMEI) is a women and youth led Community Based Organization (CBO) that is rolling out climate action initiatives in Mua Hills Ridge, Machakos County, Kenya. The Mua Hills Ridge is a crescent-shaped mountain situated about 50 Kms East of Nairobi with an elevation of about 2,000 meters above sea level and spans 358.19 square kilometers located in Machakos Town, Mavoko and Kathiani sub-counties in Machakos County.
Historically, the region was well-forested, but in recent years, environmental degradation has intensified due to societal changes. Widespread deforestation has led to a significant reduction in access to clean and sufficient water, leaving the community vulnerable to consuming contaminated water, which poses a threat to public health and overall well-being. Additionally, the area's economic stability has been compromised, as declining household incomes largely dependent on agriculture are further strained by the challenges of water scarcity, negatively impacting crop yields and livelihoods.
This overarching problem led to the birth of the GMEI Organization to combat the problems faced in this area.
The goal of the project is to enhance sustainable development amongcommunities through climate intervention. This goal is anchored in two objectives: