Kenya government commits to restore 10,000 hectares of Mt Elgon forest

The Kenyan government committed to restoring 10,000 hectares of degraded forest and farmland in the Mt Elgon ecosystem over a 10-year conservation period.

This initiative aims to improve land management across 50,000 hectares and provide direct benefits to 60,000 people. The State Department for Forestry announced the plan during the second Mt Elgon Day at Kaberwa Forest Station in Bungoma County.

The program, known as the Mt Elgon Integrated Conservation and Livelihood Improvement Programme (ICLIP), focuses on environmental restoration, sustainable livelihoods, education, and the protection of cultural heritage. The project is supported by the FAO-GEF-7 Integrated Landscape Management Project to promote sustainable forest management and improve the lives of local residents. Officials also reported progress on a national campaign to reach 30 per cent tree cover by 2032.

In Bungoma County, authorities have recorded 20.6 million trees since 2022 toward a 10-year goal of 193.8 million trees. The government called on local communities, county governments, and development partners to integrate restoration priorities into development plans and invest in nature-based enterprises.