Since our inception, we have been actively involved in tree planting initiatives within the Cherangani Water Towers. Our efforts, in collaboration with Community Forest Associations (CFAs), Water Resource Users Associations (WRUAs), the Eldoret Water and Sanitation Company Limited (ELDOWAS), the Kenya Forest Service (KFS), financial institutions, and other partner organizations, have led to significant reforestation activities. Key locations for these efforts include Kaptagat Forest, Embobut Forest, Sogotio Forest, Moiben River, Sosiani River, and Tangasir River.
We proudly lead the annual Chebara Dam Conservation Run, a key event that underscores our commitment to environmental conservation. ELDOWAS, a major beneficiary of Chebara Dam which supplies approximately 65% of the water consumed in Eldoret Town, has been an enduring partner in this endeavor. Additionally, we collaborate with the Moiben WRUA and Tangasir WRUA to ensure the success of this annual event. Since its inception in 2015, the Chebara Dam Conservation Run has been a pivotal activity, which was suspended during the COVID-19 pandemic (2019, 2020, and 2021).
In conclusion, as the lead agency for the annual Chebara Dam Conservation Run, we have successfully planted approximately 300,000 tree seedlings across diverse ecosystems, educational institutions, and private farms, contributing significantly to the restoration and preservation of our environment.
Number of tree seedlings planted 586, 438 , a million more to go
Number of tree seedlings planted 586, 438
a million more to go
RIVER BANKS RESTORATION
River Banks restoration has been a key activity also in the tree planting campaign through the WRUA’s collaborations. There is a serious encroachment of riparian land along the major rivers and streams in the entire area of our jurisdiction. We started river bank restoration as part of our annual tree planting campaigns to ensure that as we restore the catchment areas the river banks are also restored to recharge the rivers.
We are doing advocacy in the two counties of West Pokot and Elgeyo Marakwet to sensitize the communities living along the rivers on the need to observe the thirty-meter rule on river riparian land. We have reached out to the Agricultural departments of the two counties to ensure enforcement.
TREE PLANTING ALONG MAJOR HIGHWAYS IN THE NORTH RIFT REGION
In the year 2019 before COVID-19 hit Kenya we partnered with Kenya National Highways Authority to plant trees in three major roads in the North Rift. Through this initiative we agreed to Plant about 10,000 trees with agreed specifications on the tree varieties that do not endanger motorists, spacing and to involve the communities and schools along these highways.
Highways are always devoid of vegetation after they are graded and coming up with the idea to plant trees is not only for beatification, but also to increase tree cover in these huge tracks of bare road reserves and therefore increasing the percentage of area under tree cover.
