Nairobi: The government has initiated a coordinated national programme to restore the Mount Elgon ecosystem, a key water tower supporting communities across Bungoma and Trans Nzoia counties. The Cabinet Secretary (CS) for Environment, Climate Change and Forestry Dr. Deborah Barasa announced that the government aims to rehabilitate more than 103,000 hectares of degraded forest and farmland over the next decade.
According to Kenya News Agency, Dr. Barasa stated that the restoration drive aligns with the Presidential Directive to grow 15 billion trees by 2032, as well as the National Climate Change Action Plan and the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA). “Mount Elgon has suffered the effects of deforestation and unsustainable land use, leading to loss of biodiversity and reduced water flows. We must work together to let Mount Elgon rise again green, vibrant, and full of life,” rallied the CS.
She noted that Mount Elgon was designated in 2023 as a Transboundary Biosphere Reserve by the UNESCO Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Council, one of only two such reserves in Africa shared between Kenya and Uganda. Further, Dr. Barasa warned that continued degradation could threaten this global recognition and the livelihoods of millions who depend on it. She disclosed that the Ministry appointed Principal Secretary (PS) for Mining, Mr. Harry Kimtai, as Patron and Champion of the Mount Elgon Restoration Initiative, to coordinate local and national efforts.
“As a native of the region, PS Kimtai understands the environmental and socio-economic challenges facing the mountain communities and is well placed to rally stakeholders towards sustainable solutions,” Dr. Barasa pointed out. Additionally, she called on development partners, county governments, and the private sector to collaborate with the Ministry in ensuring sustainable outcomes. “Mount Elgon is a source of life for millions. Its restoration is our shared duty to future generations,” the CS affirmed.
In his remarks, Forestry PS Gitonga Mugambi underscored the mountain’s vital role in maintaining ecological balance, food security, and water supply, saying that over 35,000 hectares of forest and 68,000 hectares of farmland around Mount Elgon are degraded. “The Ministry will support the initiative through the provision of quality seedlings, technical expertise, and the promotion of green enterprises among youth and women,” he added.
Representing professionals from the Mount Elgon region, Tony Tugei welcomed the programme and assured government officials of the community’s strong commitment to restoring the ecosystem. “We are very glad that this programme has been launched and can assure you that the community is fully committed,” he reiterated. “If there is any community that has experienced the full impact of degradation of this important water tower, it is the people of Mount Elgon, both in Trans Nzoia and Bungoma,” added Tugei.
Equally, Tugei pledged to mobilize professionals and young people to actively support the restoration through awareness campaigns, digital content creation, and community engagement. “We are mobilizing all stakeholders to ensure everyone is fully involved; young professionals are taking the lead in creating awareness online and at the grassroots. One of our key partners named Samuel is already working to bring together young people to share this message and help their communities understand why this project matters,” he revealed.
Similarly, Tugei urged unity and continued collaboration among residents, professionals, and government agencies to ensure the programme’s long-term success. “Let’s make sure that the community wins and that the youth receive this great gift of a restored environment, the next ten years will be about transforming lives and landscapes across Bungoma and Trans Nzoia. For us, it is truly a blessing to be part of this journey,” he remarked.
Meanwhile, the Mount Elgon Restoration Programme will focus on afforestation, soil conservation, livelihood diversification, and environmental education, reinforcing Kenya’s broader goal of increasing national tree cover and combating climate change.