Nairobi: The County Government of Nandi, through the Department of Environment, Natural Resources and Climate Change, has partnered with key stakeholders, including the Kiptapkei Community-Based Organization and NCBA Bank, to scale up conservation efforts along River Yala.
According to Kenya News Agency, in a renewed effort to protect riparian land and restore the ecosystem, the partners have planted 2,600 indigenous trees along the riverbanks, reinforcing their commitment to sustained environmental restoration in the county. James Melly, Director of the Department of Environment, Natural Resources and Climate Change, highlighted that the county has sustained tree-planting activities for more than seven years, focusing not only on the number of trees grown but also on their quality and the quantity of water from the sources.
Melly remarked on the significant improvement in the river’s water volume over this period, attributing this success to community engagement and awareness campaigns. Residents of Kabore in Nandi Central Sub-County, the source of River Yala, are now witnessing the benefits of these efforts, with livestock thriving from cleaner and more reliable water. He also encouraged residents to plant short-term crops such as beans to boost household food production during the ongoing rains.
Joel Malakwen, CEO of Kiptapkei Environmental CBO based in Kapsabet, emphasized the initiative’s role in climate change mitigation. He pointed out that restoring riparian land is crucial for reducing the impact of climate change and enhancing biodiversity through tree planting, one of the organization’s main priorities.
NCBA Kapsabet Branch Manager, Phederesy Wesonga, who participated in the tree-planting exercise, reaffirmed the bank’s commitment to environmental conservation. She noted that supporting such activities is part of their corporate responsibility and aligns with President William Ruto’s directive to plant over 15 billion trees by 2030, asserting that “Trees equal life, and we are committed to playing our part.”
With institutions and community groups standing together, the riparian restoration efforts along River Yala highlight a growing movement in Nandi County geared towards improving the livelihoods of the people in the region.
