40,000 Indigenous Trees Planted in Elgeyo Marakwet Forest Block to Restore Degraded Escarpment

More than 40,000 tree seedlings have taken root in the Elgeyo Marakwet Forest Block after a major afforestation drive led by Keiyo North Member of Parliament Adams Kipsanai. The exercise targeted degraded sections of the escarpment in a bid to rebuild forest cover and strengthen climate resilience in the region.

The planting brought together the Keiyo North National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NG-CDF) team, Kenya Forest Service (KFS) officers, and members of the Community Forest Association from Kamoi Location. Participants focused on restoring areas affected by past degradation along the steep Elgeyo Marakwet escarpment, a critical water tower that supports agriculture and river systems downstream.

Kipsanai described the initiative as a significant multi-stakeholder effort. “Today, together with the Keiyo North NG-CDF team, Kenya Forest Service officials, and Community Forest Association members, we have undertaken a significant intervention by planting 40,000 trees in the Elgeyo Marakwet forest block,” he said during the exercise.

Boosting National Tree-Growing Targets

The activity forms part of Kenya’s ongoing campaign to plant 15 billion trees by 2032 and raise national forest cover to 30 percent. Elgeyo Marakwet County, with its rugged terrain and history of landslides, stands to benefit from improved soil stability, better water retention, and enhanced carbon sequestration.

Officials selected indigenous species suited to the local ecology. These trees help restore natural habitats, reduce erosion on the escarpment slopes, and support biodiversity in one of the Rift Valley’s important forest zones.

The Kenya Forest Service has intensified restoration work in the area, working closely with community groups to ensure higher survival rates through proper tending and protection. Community Forest Associations play a key role in monitoring and safeguarding newly planted areas against illegal logging or grazing pressure.

Addressing Climate and Livelihood Challenges

The Elgeyo Marakwet escarpment faces threats from deforestation, climate variability, and human activities. Restoration efforts aim to mitigate these risks while promoting sustainable land management practices among local residents who depend on the forests for fuelwood, fodder, and water.

Kipsanai stressed the value of collaboration between national and county leaders, development funds, and local communities. Such partnerships help align tree-growing activities with broader goals of environmental conservation and rural development.

Similar exercises continue across Kenya as the long rains season provides favourable conditions for seedling establishment. Government data indicates steady progress through the JazaMiti platform, though officials continue to emphasise the shift from mere planting to successful tree growing and survival.

Sustainable Management in Focus

Participants called for ongoing community involvement to protect the young trees. Regular patrols, firebreaks, and education on sustainable harvesting will support long-term success in the forest block.

This latest planting adds momentum to county-level efforts in Elgeyo Marakwet, where leaders have prioritised ecosystem restoration to curb landslides and improve agricultural productivity in lower-lying areas.

As Kenya pushes toward its 2032 target, initiatives like the one in Kamoi Location demonstrate how targeted interventions in degraded zones can contribute meaningfully to national forest recovery goals.

Kipsanai and partnering agencies pledged to sustain the momentum through follow-up planting and maintenance programmes. They urged more residents and institutions to join hands in restoring Kenya’s natural landscapes for future generations.