Kitale: The national government, through the Kenya Forestry Service (KFS), is setting up a roadmap to ensure the conservation and restoration of the Mt Elgon Ecosystem. This initiative is part of a broader effort to protect and manage the region’s natural resources effectively.
According to Kenya News Agency, the blueprint is being developed courtesy of the Global Environment Facility Food Systems, Land Use and Restoration Project (GEF-7 FOLUR) under the Integrated Landscape Management Conservation of Mt Elgon Kenya Programme. This plan aims to create a shared and coordinated approach towards the restoration of the Mt Elgon landscape. Speaking at the first multistakeholder workshop at Kitale National Polytechnic, Secretary of State Department for Mining Principal Secretary Harry Kimtai emphasized the significance of formulating the Ecosystem Management Plan as a crucial step in the restoration process. The plan will enhance development and guide sustainable land use decisions across Trans Nzoia and Bungoma counties.
Kimtai highlighted the importance of unity, determination, and a shared vision in achieving a productive Mt Elgon landscape that supports both people and nature. He emphasized that practical and locally owned landscape management plans will address biophysical, social, economic, and institutional dimensions, building a shared evidence-based framework for decision-making. He also stressed the need for continued collaborations and partnerships as essential elements for achieving the project’s objectives.
The project is implemented by KFS in collaboration with the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organisation (KALRO) and the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO). GEF-7 Project Manager James Malombe noted that the Integrated Landscape Management Conservation of Mt Elgon Kenya programme, with an estimated cost of Sh6.6 billion, will significantly improve the livelihoods of surrounding communities.
During the workshop, the Participatory Informed Landscape Approach (PILA) developed by FAO was discussed. This approach represents a new method for inclusive and evidence-based decision-making in integrated landscape management for conservation and restoration efforts. FAO representative Laura Jansen emphasized the organization’s commitment to the cause and identified competition for natural resources as a significant challenge. She advocated for a dialogue platform where stakeholders’ views are considered to overcome this obstacle.
