NAIROBI– The government has rolled out a Ksh10.1 billion, 10-year plan to restore Mount Elgon, one of Kenya’s most important water towers.
The announcement came during a high-level breakfast meeting at Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) in Nairobi on Tuesday, which brought together government officials, county leaders, conservation agencies, and development partners.
Environment, Climate Change and Forestry Cabinet Secretary Dr Deborah Mlongo Barasa said the mountain has suffered years of deforestation and poor land use, which have reduced water levels, caused soil erosion, and threatened biodiversity.
“Mount Elgon is not just a forest. It is a source of life, a place that unites communities.This initiative is about restoring our natural heritage and building peace,” Dr Barasa said. She also announced November 7 as Mount Elgon Day to rally Kenyans behind conservation.
Environment Cabinet Secretary Dr. Deborah M. Barasa on Tuesday presided over the media launch of Mt. Elgon Day 2025 at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) in Nairobi, attended by senior government officials, Principal Secretaries Dr. Eng. Festus… pic.twitter.com/G9ZWy9vibe
— Frontier Online (@FrontierOnlineK) November 4, 2025
The Mt Elgon Integrated Conservation and Livelihood Improvement Programme aims to rehabilitate over 103,000 hectares of degraded land and plant 10 million trees every year as part of the government’s 15 Billion Trees Campaign running from 2022 to 2032.
Principal Secretary Dr Eng Festus Ng’eno warned that the government will not tolerate further destruction of Mount Elgon.
“This mountain is a lifeline for millions of Kenyans. Restoration must go hand in hand with supporting communities’ livelihoods,” he said.
Forestry PS Gitonga Mugambi admitted that past restoration efforts were scattered and poorly coordinated.
“This time, we are bringing all stakeholders together for a bigger impact. With Dr Harry Kimtai as patron, we have someone who knows the mountain intimately and can lead locally driven solutions,” he said.
Dr Kimtai, a native of Mount Elgon, pledged his full support. “I have seen the impact of environmental degradation firsthand. This programme is close to my heart, and I will work with communities and county governments to make it a success,” he said.
Development partners who attended the meeting pledged to advocate for the restoration and play a crucial role in driving the initiative forward. Even mining companies, often linked to deforestation in the region, promised their support.
Environment, Climate Change and Forestry CS Dr. Deborah M. Barasa, when she hosted the Mt. Elgon Day 2025 Breakfast Meeting at KICC, Nairobi.
The initiative is expected to create green jobs, boost climate-smart farming, and enhance peace in a historically volatile area.
Mount Elgon stretches across Bungoma and Trans Nzoia counties, covering about 172,000 hectares. It is home to rare species like the Mount Elgon chameleon, giant lobelia plants, and the Kitum caves. UNESCO recognized it as a transboundary biosphere reserve in 2023, with an estimated annual ecological value of Ksh115 billion.
Later, Dr Barasa will visit landslide-affected areas around the mountain to assess damage and comfort affected families.
“When Mount Elgon thrives, our people thrive. Protecting this mountain is not just an environmental priority, it is an investment in Kenya’s future,” she said.
