Kenya’s Ministry of Environment has launched a collaborative effort with The Nature Conservancy (TNC) and the Eldoret-Iten Water Fund to restore 86 hectares of degraded areas within the Kaptagat Forest ecosystem in Elgeyo Marakwet County.
This initiative is part of the government’s broader strategy to plant 15 billion trees by 2032 to enhance biodiversity and secure vital water sources for local communities.
During the eighth Edition of the Kaptagat Forest Annual Tree Growing event, which saw participation from H.E. President William Ruto, more than 100,000 tree seedlings were planted. These efforts, led by local communities, are focused on restoring the Kipsalen River in the Sabor forest ecosystem, a critical water source for communities within the catchment area and Iten municipality. This shows that everyone, no matter how small their contribution, is a vital part of this initiative.
Dr. Eng. Festus K. Ng’eno, Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, and Forestry, emphasized the significance of the partnership with the Eldoret-Iten Water Fund and other stakeholders. He highlighted that restoring degraded forest areas through nature-based solutions improves biodiversity and addresses climate change impacts, directly benefiting thousands of households.
The Eldoret-Iten Water Fund, Kenya’s second water fund established by TNC, has not just met but exceeded its initial targets under the #GrowAMilli campaign initiated by Kenya’s First Lady, H.E. Mama Rachel Ruto. The fund has successfully planted over one million trees during recent rains, surpassing expectations and setting ambitious forest management and watershed protection goals. This success is a testament to the power of collective action and should inspire us all to do more for our environment.
Fred Kihara, TNC Africa’s Water Funds Director, underscored the importance of investing in nature-based solutions. He highlighted that these initiatives enhance water quality and quantity by protecting water catchments. This is crucial amid challenges like declining GDP growth and a real estate market slump in China, impacting global luxury goods.
The initiative also aligns with TNC’s global ambition to conserve significant natural resources worldwide, emphasizing sustainable practices and environmental stewardship. By training local youth in drone monitoring technology, the project aims to strengthen real-time forest surveillance and prevent degradation, contributing to long-term ecological sustainability.
Moving forward, the collaboration intends to expand its impact by supporting more households in adopting sustainable land management practices, distributing fruit and agroforestry trees, and installing water pans to harvest rainwater. These efforts are not just local, but have a global impact, projected to sequester millions of tons of carbon equivalent and reinforce Kenya’s commitment to environmental conservation on a global scale. This is a movement we can all be proud to be a part of.
