FORESTRY PRINCIPAL SECRETARY MR GITONGA MUGAMBI JOINS STAKEHOLDERS FOR THE SECOND MAU FOREST CONSERVATION MARATHON

Kuresoi South, Nakuru County | July 2026

The Principal Secretary for the State Department for Forestry, Gitonga Mugambi,  joined his fellow Principal Secretaries, Festus K. Ng’eno, who also serves as Patron of the Mau Forest Complex Integrated Conservation and Livelihood Improvement Programme (MFC-ICLIP), Ephantus Kimotho, and Elijah Mwangi, during the 2nd Edition of the Mau Forest Conservation Marathon held in Kuresoi South.

The marathon brought together senior government officials, development partners, conservation stakeholders, and members of the local community in a united effort to promote the conservation and restoration of the Mau Forest Complex while supporting sustainable livelihoods for communities that depend on the ecosystem.

The event highlighted the importance of collective action in safeguarding one of Kenya’s most critical water towers, with participants using sport as a platform to champion environmental conservation, climate resilience, and sustainable natural resource management.

Staff from various Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) also participated in the marathon, demonstrating the Government’s whole-of-government approach to environmental conservation. The State Department for Forestry delegation was led by the Secretary for Forest Development, George Tarus, and included the Kenya Forest Service Chief Conservator of Forests, Alex Lemarkoko, as well as the Chief Executive Officer of the Kenya Forestry Research Institute, Jane Njuguna, among other officers.

The Mau Forest Conservation Marathon continues to serve as a platform for raising awareness on forest conservation, encouraging partnerships, and mobilizing communities to take practical action towards restoring the Mau Forest Complex for present and future generations.