The Kenya Ministry of Environment, with The Nature Conservancy [TNC] and the Eldoret-Iten Water Fund, has restored 86 hectares of degraded land in Kaptagat Forest, Elgeyo Marakwet County.
This restoration aligns with the government’s goal to plant 15 billion trees by 2032. During the Kaptagat Forest Annual Tree Growing event, more than 100,000 tree seedlings were planted to restore the Kipsalen River in Sabor Forest, which supplies water to local communities and Iten municipality.
Principal Secretary Dr. Eng. Festus K. Ng’eno emphasized the importance of such collaborations in improving biodiversity, addressing climate change, and benefiting households. The Eldoret-Iten Water Fund, a public-private partnership established by TNC, focuses on nature-based solutions to protect water catchments. Since the 2023 #GrowAMilli campaign launch by Kenya’s First Lady, the Water Fund has planted over one million trees.
The Fund aims to manage 85,138 hectares of protected forest, restore 3,500 hectares of degraded agricultural land, rehabilitate 500 hectares of wetlands, and sustainably manage 10,000 hectares of steep landscapes. TNC Africa’s Water Funds Director, Fred Kihara, noted that such efforts improve water quality and address water insecurity.
Global Forest Watch reports that Kenya’s forest area is about 3.46 million hectares, constituting 5.9% of its territory. Between 2002 and 2023, Kenya lost 52.5 hectares of humid primary forest. In 2023 alone, the loss was 10.1 hectares, releasing 6.35 metric tonnes of CO₂. Protecting forests and growing trees contribute to carbon sequestration and climate resilience. The Eldoret Iten-Water Fund has also supported 20,000 households in adopting sustainable practices, distributed 338,000 fruit trees, and installed 160 water pans, sequestering 6.4 million tons of carbon over 120,000 hectares.
