Mount elgon: The Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Forestry, Dr. Deborah Barasa, has directed the Kenya Forest Service (KFS) to engage Community Forest Associations (CFA) in Mount Elgon to assist in the Plantation Establishment and Livelihood Improvement Scheme (PELIS) aimed at enhancing tree growth.
According to Kenya News Agency, Dr. Barasa highlighted the significance of the Mt Elgon Forest as a crucial water catchment area for Western Kenya and adjacent regions during a meeting with CFA members at Saboti Forest Station in Mt Elgon. She noted that the GEF 7 FAO Mt Elgon Project has already involved communities in establishing tree nurseries, with further project support expected.
Dr. Barasa stressed the need for collaboration with communities to restore and protect Mt Elgon as a key water tower. She mandated KFS to expedite the integration of CFAs in PELIS to simultaneously increase forest cover and improve livelihoods. Community members were encouraged to join CFAs to benefit from government programmes and user rights.
The meeting also saw the presence of Principal Secretary for Mining, Mr. Harry Kimtai, who serves as the Patron of the 15 Billion Tree Growing Strategy for Mt Elgon Forest. Mr. Kimtai encouraged the community to explore the ecotourism potential of the forest and enhance value chains for food crops grown in the area, emphasizing the link between conservation and economic empowerment.
Mr. Titus Korir, Chairman of the Kenya Forest Service Board, highlighted the importance of community involvement in forest management through CFAs. He underscored the benefits and participatory decision-making access that CFA membership provides, urging communities to collaborate with KFS to maximize their user rights.
The meeting was attended by several officials, including KFS Board Director Ms. Jane Simita, Acting Senior Manager Legal Services Ms. Laura Yego, Regional Forest Conservator Mr. John Rono, County Forest Conservator Mr. Joseph Mbugua, and CFA Coordinator Josyline Thambu. Also present were Trans Nzoia County Commissioner Alason Hussein and representatives from the county’s nine CFAs.
Mt Elgon Forest, one of Kenya’s five major water towers, plays a vital role in supporting millions of people in Western Kenya and Eastern Uganda. The Government’s 15 Billion Tree Growing Strategy aims to increase Kenya’s forest cover to 30 percent by 2032.
