North Rift – The Kerio Valley Development Authority (KVDA) has embarked on an ambitious project to plant over 6 million trees across six counties in the North Rift region. The initiative, targeting Turkana, West Pokot, Elgeyo Marakwet, Uasin Gishu, Baringo, and Samburu counties, is set to be completed by June 2024 and aims to restore the environment, which has suffered from landslides and climate change effects.
According to Kenya News Agency, over 1.5 million trees and fruit seedlings have already been planted in the last four months. This effort aligns with President William Ruto's directive to increase Kenya's national tree cover to at least 15 billion trees by 2032. During the national Tree Growing Day, KVDA contributed 300,000 tree seedlings for planting in Elgeyo Marakwet County and planted 10,000 tree seedlings along the Yokot dam catchment.
The project focuses not only on climate change mitigation but also on providing economic benefits to local households. By distributing fruit seedlings, KVDA aims to enhance income generation and improve food security and nutrition at the family level. Special attention is being given to the rehabilitation of the Cherangan'y water tower and the conservation of the Kerio river basin to prevent landslides.
Naporos explained that the initiative extends to the rehabilitation of the Turkwel dam catchment area to reduce siltation and stabilize the region's escarpment. In addition to government-gazetted forests, the project now targets schools and individual farmers, given the challenges posed by livestock grazing. Significant progress has been made in counties like West Pokot and Uasin Gishu, where hundreds of thousands of trees and avocado seedlings have been distributed and planted.
The initiative also aims to empower locals economically by providing mango and avocado seedlings, diversifying their income sources beyond traditional cereals and livestock. This approach addresses not only environmental conservation but also economic value for the community.
Naporos highlighted the strong link between food security and environmental destruction, emphasizing the project's role in risk reduction and disaster prevention in degraded mountainous areas. The focus on Cherangan'y and Kaptagat water towers is critical, as these areas are vital for the watershed of the Lake Victoria and Turkana basins.
Local farmers like David Kipsaina have already started to see the benefits of the program, with avocado seedlings promising to boost their income and contribute to environmental conservation. KVDA Board Chairman Mark Chesergon reaffirmed the Authority's commitment to environmental conservation and achieving the presidential directive of 10 percent forest cover.
The program reflects a united effort to combat environmental degradation and improve the socio-economic status of the North Rift region, promoting sustainable development and environmental stewardship.