LEADERS SPEARHEAD TREE-GROWING EXERCISE IN CHEREGANY HILLS RESTORATION DRIVE.

Environment, Climate Change and Forestry Cabinet Secretary Dr. Deborah M. Barasa and Cabinet Secretary for Interior and National Administration Hon. Onesimus Kipchumba Murkomen t joined Kenya’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to UNEP, Amb. Dr. Ida Odinga, in leading a large-scale tree-growing exercise at Tebe Grounds in Kapyego, Elgeyo Marakwet County.

The restoration activity brought together government leaders, conservation champions, athletes, development partners, and members of the local community in a collective effort to support ecosystem restoration within the Cherangany Hills landscape.

A total of 14,000 tree seedlings were planted during the exercise, contributing to the Government’s target of growing 15 billion trees by 2032 and increasing national tree cover to 30 percent. The initiative reinforced Kenya’s commitment to biodiversity conservation, climate resilience, sustainable livelihoods, and the restoration of critical water towers.

The tree-growing exercise formed part of the Cherangany Hills Peace and Conservation Run, an initiative that promotes environmental conservation, social cohesion, and sustainable natural resource management. The event also served as a precursor to the launch of the Cherangany Hills Ecosystem Restoration for Livelihood Improvement, Sustainability and Harmony (CHERISH) Programme and the commemoration of the International Day for Biological Diversity 2026.

Leaders at the event emphasized the importance of collective action in restoring degraded ecosystems and safeguarding natural resources, noting that healthy forests and landscapes are critical for water security, biodiversity conservation, climate adaptation, and community well-being.

The activity highlighted the growing role of partnerships among government institutions, local communities, development partners, and conservation stakeholders in advancing Kenya’s restoration agenda and achieving national environmental targets.

Among those present were Environment and Climate Change Principal Secretary Dr. Eng. Festus K. Ng’eno, Elgeyo Marakwet Governor H.E. Wesley Rotich, Members of Parliament William Kisang, Caroline Ng’elechei, and Titus Lotee, Olympic champion Dr. Faith Kipyegon, renowned athlete Tegla Loroupe, marathoner John Korir, County Commissioner David Kosgey, OKM Foundation Chairperson Gladys Kipchumba, 15 Billion Trees Secretariat National Coordinator Ms. Susan Boit, development partners, conservation stakeholders, and members of the local community.