Murkomen links environmental restoration to peacebuilding in Kerio Valley

Speaking at the launch of the Cherangany Hills Ecosystem Restoration for Livelihood Improvement, Sustainability and Harmony (CHERISH) programme in Kapyego, Elgeyo Marakwet County, Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has urged Kenyans to embrace environmental conservation, saying it is both a constitutional responsibility and a moral obligation that must be upheld by all citizens.

Prof. Kindiki said environmental protection is firmly anchored in the Constitution and reinforced in scripture, calling on communities to take an active role in safeguarding natural resources for future generations.

“We have a constitutional duty as a nation, both collectively and individually, to conserve the environment,” he said.

He added that conservation efforts such as the CHERISH programme are critical in advancing the government’s target of planting 15 billion trees by 2032, aimed at restoring degraded ecosystems and addressing climate change.

“Initiatives like this will help us achieve the target of planting 15 billion trees by 2032,” Kindiki said.

The Deputy President was speaking during the launch of the programme and the commemoration of the International Day for Biological Diversity.

The initiative is spearheaded by Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen under the OKM Foundation as a 10-year programme aimed at restoring the Cherangany ecosystem, strengthening climate resilience and improving livelihoods.

“There is a close relationship between security and climate change due to climate-related conflicts,” he said.

He warned that continued destruction of forests and water catchment areas is worsening vulnerability to disasters such as landslides, drought and water shortages.

Spanning 414,928 hectares across Trans Nzoia County, Elgeyo Marakwet County, West Pokot County and Uasin Gishu County, the Cherangany ecosystem comprises 22 gazetted forests and feeds more than 22 rivers flowing into Lake Victoria and Lake Turkana, making it a critical national water tower.

“Our goal is to restore and replace trees in 40,000 hectares across the four counties,” Murkomen said.

A Kapyego resident, Joseph Pkassan, said the initiative has renewed hope among communities after years of environmental degradation.

“We have seen how the environment has changed over the years, and this initiative gives us a chance to restore what we have lost,” he said.

He added that community involvement will be key to ensuring long-term success.

“If the people living here are included, then protecting the forest becomes easier and more meaningful,” he said.

Pkassan further noted that restoration would directly improve livelihoods through improved water availability, pasture and agricultural productivity.

“When the forest is healthy, water comes back, pasture improves, and even our lives as farmers become better,” he said.

Government officials present included Environment Cabinet Secretary Deborah Barasa, Governors Wisley Rotich, Jonathan Chelilim and Simon Kachapin, alongside Members of Parliament, Principal Secretaries and other national and county leaders.