By Eddah Waithaka
The Kenyan government is mobilizing a nationwide effort to rescue and restore the vital Mount Elgon water tower, launching a new annual observance and a dedicated 10-year restoration program to address severe degradation.
Dr. Deborah M. Barasa, Cabinet Secretary for the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Forestry, announced the inaugural Mt. Elgon Day, set for November 7, 2025, during a stakeholder breakfast meeting.
The move aims to rally communities, partners, and conservationists behind the ambitious goal of restoring 103,000 hectares of degraded land in the ecosystem.
“Mount Elgon has suffered the effects of deforestation and unsustainable land use practices, leading to declining water levels and reduced ecosystem services,” Dr. Barasa stated, underscoring the urgency of the initiative.
The announcement comes just two years after UNESCO designated the Mount Elgon Ecosystem a Transboundary Biosphere Reserve, a prestigious status that unlocks opportunities for funding, research, and sustainable development.
However, the government emphasized that this international recognition is not permanent and could be revoked if degradation continues.
To centralize and energize the restoration drive, the Ministry has appointed Mr. Harry Kimtai, the Principal Secretary for Mining and a local of the region, as the Patron and Champion for the initiative.
“In the past, we have had disjointed conservation efforts from multiple stakeholders,” Dr. Barasa explained. “We expect Mr. Kimtai to help us offer sustainable, locally driven solutions.”
In his role, Patron Kimtai will provide leadership, rally local communities, and coordinate collaboration between national and county governments.
The State Department for Forestry will back these efforts by providing technical support, producing quality seedlings, and helping community groups establish sustainable forest-based enterprises.
The comprehensive 10-year program will extend beyond tree planting. It seeks to improve access to clean energy and water, promote green jobs, upscale agricultural value chains, and integrate environmental education into schools.
The initiative directly supports the national 15 Billion Trees Campaign and the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA).
The government now issues a clear call to action for multi-stakeholder collaboration across borders and sectors, urging community ownership of restoration activities to ensure the long-term health of a water tower that supports millions of people.
