Kenya Rallies for Mt. Elgon Restoration as Ministry Launches National Conservation Drive at KICC

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By irene 



The Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Forestry today hosted the Mt. Elgon Day 2025 Breakfast Meeting at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC), bringing together government leaders, conservation experts, and development partners to chart a unified course toward restoring the Mt. Elgon ecosystem.

Presided over by Cabinet Secretary Dr. Deborah Barasa, the meeting underscored Kenya’s growing commitment to environmental protection and sustainable development. Dr. Barasa called on all Kenyans—especially the youth—to take an active role in conserving the nation’s natural heritage.

“This initiative seeks to foster collaboration, partnerships, and stakeholder coordination while improving access to clean energy and water, promoting sustainable livelihoods through the creation of green jobs, upscaling agricultural value chains, and increasing awareness and conservation initiatives in schools and institutions of higher learning,” said Dr. Barasa.

She added that the program will also promote research, technology, and innovation, support sports and talent development among the youth, and preserve Kenya’s cultural heritage.

The discussions centered on restoring over 103,000 hectares of degraded forest and farmland across Bungoma and Trans Nzoia counties, a key component of the government’s 15 Billion Trees Campaign (2022–2032) and the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA).

The newly established Mt. Elgon Day, to be commemorated annually on November 7, will serve as a national reminder of Kenya’s pledge to protect one of its five major water towers.

Principal Secretary Harry Kimtai, who serves as the Patron of the Mt. Elgon Restoration Initiative, emphasized the importance of community involvement in ensuring the long-term success of restoration efforts.
“The people of Mt. Elgon must be at the heart of this initiative. Empowering local communities to lead restoration efforts ensures both sustainability and shared prosperity,” he said.

Reaffirming the Ministry’s dedication, Dr. Barasa noted that the restoration of Mt. Elgon goes beyond environmental protection—it is about safeguarding water resources, livelihoods, and resilience for future generations.

The breakfast meeting marked the beginning of a week-long series of activities leading up to Mt. Elgon Day, including tree-planting drives, public awareness campaigns, and strategic partnerships to accelerate ecosystem restoration efforts nationwide.

Also present were Principal Secretaries Gitonga Mugambi (Forestry), Dr. Eng. Festus K. Ng’eno (Environment and Climate Change), and Harry Kimtai (Mining), alongside senior government officials, development partners, and conservation stakeholders.

The event concluded with a renewed call for collective action, positioning Mt. Elgon’s restoration as a national priority in Kenya’s journey toward environmental sustainability and climate resilience.

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