Over 2,500 Hectares Reclaimed in Kenya’s Kaptagat Forest Conservation Programme

Posted on : Thursday , 2nd October 2025

More than 2,500 hectares of Kaptagat Forest have been successfully reclaimed under the Kaptagat Integrated Conservation Programme, spearheaded by Treasury Principal Secretary Dr. Chris Kiptoo. Now in its ninth edition, the initiative has brought together government agencies, local communities, and partner organizations to restore a critical water tower that had suffered years of degradation. Over 2 million indigenous tree seedlings have been replanted, breathing new life into the ecosystem and offering hope for generations to come.
 

Local residents who once feared the collapse of the forest now express optimism. Mzee Daniel Kibet, a long-time resident, said he is encouraged by the restoration. I have seen so many trees now planted under this project headed by PS Kiptoo and I am happy that at least the forest will continue to exist for our future generations, he said. His sentiments reflect a renewed sense of ownership by the community, many of whom have shifted from relying on firewood to adopting sustainable alternatives such as charcoal or biogas.
 

The programme’s success lies in its blend of environmental restoration and livelihood transformation. Through the distribution of more than 3 million high-value avocado seedlings across Elgeyo Marakwet and Uasin Gishu Counties, farmers have found new income streams beyond conventional cereal farming. Salina Cheruto, a resident of Kabukto village, shared how avocado farming has turned her life around, I earn over Sh20,000 every month. Initially, we relied entirely on the forest to eke out our living but it was unsustainable. Today, we are protecting the forest while also improving our livelihoods.
 

Community-based organizations have been central in managing this turnaround. Kaptagat Community Forest Association (CFA) chairperson Vincent Chelimo noted that the forest is thriving under a robust management plan combining state and private sector efforts. He said local ownership, achieved through the Plantation Establishment Livelihood Investment Scheme (PELIS), has proven effective in ensuring survival rates of over 95% for new tree seedlings. Rivers that had dried up are now flowing again, signaling a revival of biodiversity within the forest. The programme has also invested heavily in green energy solutions to curb deforestation.
 

Treasury PS Dr. Kiptoo emphasized that the initiative is anchored in a five-year plan (2024–2029) that combines conservation with community empowerment, including livestock upgrading, high-value crops, water provision, and clean energy adoption. Aligned with the President’s target of growing 15 billion trees on 11 million hectares by 2032, the Kaptagat Programme demonstrates how environmental conservation can succeed when communities and government work hand in hand. The transformation of Kaptagat Forest now stands as a model for balancing forest protection, climate change resilience, and rural economic growth.