A national program to restore the Mount Elgon ecosystem has been instigated by the Kenyan government.

The Mount Elgon ecosystem, which is a key water tower supporting most communities across Bungoma and Transnzoia counties, has been suffering the effects of deforestation and unsustainable land use, which has led to loss of biodiversity and reduced water flows.

Dr. Deborah Barasa, the Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Forestry announced government plans to rehabilitate more than 103,000 hectares of degraded forest and farmland over the next decade.

The restoration program, according to Dr. Barasa aligns both with the President’s directive to plant 15 billion trees by 2032 and is also in line with both the National Climate Change Action Plan (NCCAP) and the Bottom up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA).

She urged Kenyans to work together to see Mount Elgon rising again green, vibrant and full of life. Dr. Barasa also pointed out that in the year 2023, UNESCO’s man and the Biosphere (MAB) Council designated Mount Elgon as a Transboundary Biosphere Reserve shared between Kenya and Uganda, one of only two such reserves in Africa.

However, Dr. Barasa cautioned that the continued environmental damage could threaten this global recognition and the livelihoods of millions who depend on it.

In order to coordinate restoration efforts, the CS revealed that the Principle Secretary for mining, Mr. Harry Kimtai was appointed to champion the Mount Elgon Restoration Initiative by coordinating local and national efforts.

“Being 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”, said Dr. Barasa.

She also emphasized that Mount Elgon sustains millions of lives and its restoration is a shared responsibility owed to future generations and therefore appealed to development partners, county governments and the private sectors to work together with the ministry to achieve meaningful results.

Speaking on behalf of professionals from the Mount Elgon region, Tony Tugei welcomed the initiative and assured the government officials of the strong support for the restoration plan from the community.

Tugei also promised to bring together professionals and young people to participate through digital content creation, grassroots engagements and awareness campaigns. He also revealed that stakeholders are being mobilized to ensure everyone is fully involved.