Government Launches Major Initiative to Restore Mt. Elgon Ecosystem

By Jameson Mutua

The government has unveiled an ambitious 10-year programme to restore the Mt. Elgon ecosystem, one of Kenya’s key water towers, in a move aimed at reversing years of environmental degradation and promoting sustainable livelihoods.

Speaking during a media breakfast on Mt. Elgon restoration in Nairobi, Environment, Climate Change and Forestry Cabinet Secretary Dr. Deborah Barasa said the initiative will rally government agencies, development partners, conservationists, and local communities towards the conservation and protection of the vital ecosystem.

Dr. Barasa announced that the Ministry has designated November 7, 2025, as Mt. Elgon Day, to serve as a national call to action for environmental restoration.

“Mount Elgon has suffered the effects of deforestation and unsustainable land use practices, leading to declining water levels and reduced ecosystem services reminding us that the cost of environmental destruction is too high to bear,” she said.

The CS noted that in 2023, UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere (MAB) International Coordinating Council designated the Mount Elgon ecosystem as a Transboundary Biosphere Reserve (TBR) the second of its kind in Africa recognizing its unique ecological and cultural importance. However, she cautioned that continued degradation could lead to the loss of this global status.

To spearhead the restoration efforts, Dr. Barasa announced the appointment of Principal Secretary for Mining, Harry Kimtai, as the Patron and Champion for the Mt. Elgon Restoration Programme.

The initiative aims to restore 103,000 hectares of degraded land through collaborative efforts that promote sustainable livelihoods, enhance water and energy access, and create green jobs. It will also support research, innovation, environmental education, and youth engagement in conservation.

“This initiative seeks to foster partnerships and coordination while promoting sustainable livelihoods, upscaling agricultural value chains, and increasing conservation awareness in schools and higher institutions of learning,” she added.

Dr. Barasa emphasized that the Mt. Elgon restoration programme aligns with the Presidential Directive to grow 15 billion trees by 2032, the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), and the National Climate Change Action Plan (NCCAP).

She reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to working with all partners to enhance coordination, promote restoration, and ensure the long-term protection of the Mt. Elgon ecosystem for future generations.