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Design data and technologies platform for conservation at scale
- Munyala
- Kenya
- February 1, 2026
Situation
Kenya’s water towers—vital ecosystems that sustain biodiversity, regulate water flows, and anchor local livelihoods—are rapidly degrading under pressure from deforestation, encroachment and climate change. Their decline threatens national water security and the well-being of communities who rely on these landscapes for agriculture, grazing and economic opportunity.
Assignment
The challenge was to design modular, scalable restoration interventions that address ecological and community needs simultaneously. This required integrating sustainable job creation, improved agricultural practices and access to carbon credit markets, supported by strong resource-allocation frameworks and innovative financing. An essential requirement was a robust Monitoring, Reporting and Verification (MRV) system to ensure transparency, accountability and long-term impact.
Approach
A partnership between the Government of Kenya and IBM Research anchors the design process. Using the watsonx.ai geospatial model, the project maps degradation with high precision and monitors restoration progress in real time. This systemic design approach blends Nature-Based Solutions with advanced technology to create interventions that can be adapted and replicated across Kenya’s diverse ecological zones.
Result
The initiative is expected to restore critical ecosystems, strengthen biodiversity and enhance national water security. It will create green jobs, improve agricultural productivity and open pathways for community participation in carbon markets. By aligning community engagement with technological innovation, the project aims to position Kenya as a global leader in scalable, community-centred, tech-driven landscape restoration.