The government has reaffirmed its commitment to environmental conservation and ecosystem restoration as part of efforts to enhance food security, protect biodiversity and secure livelihoods for future generations.
Speaking during the official launch of the Cherangany Hills Ecosystem Restoration for Livelihood Improvement, Sustainability, and Harmony (CHERISH) programme in Tebe, Kapyego, during the commemoration of the 2026 International Day for Biodiversity, Deputy President Kithure Kindiki stated that Kenya has a national duty to protect and conserve its natural resources.
“We have a duty as a nation to protect and conserve the environment and natural resources for present and future generations,” said Prof. Kindiki.
He noted that environmental protection is directly linked to human survival, saying conservation efforts would help improve agricultural productivity and strengthen food security across the country.
“Environmental protection is good for our survival. Maintaining the natural environmental quantities of the world’s species of flora and fauna is intricately linked to our climate, our agriculture, our food security and even public health,” he said.
The Deputy President said the International Day for Biodiversity provided an important opportunity for Kenyans to reflect on their responsibility towards safeguarding the environment.
Prof. Kindiki reiterated the government’s commitment to promoting the constitutional right to a clean and healthy environment for all Kenyans.
“The Government is committed to promoting the right to a clean and healthy environment promised in the Constitution of Kenya as a right of every person who lives within our borders,” he said.
The CHERISH program focuses on restoring the degraded Cherangany Hills ecosystem and is expected to support conservation activities, improve water catchment areas and enhance livelihoods for communities living around the vital water tower.
Prof. Kindiki highlighted progress made under the national tree-growing initiative launched in 2022, aimed at planting and growing 15 billion trees by 2032.
“The initiative that commenced in 2022 to plant and grow 15 billion trees by 2032 is on course, with 1.7 billion trees planted so far,” he said.
He added that challenges that had initially slowed down the programme had now been addressed, paving the way for accelerated tree planting and maintenance efforts across the country.
“The structural challenges that had affected the annual target for this programme have now been addressed to give way for acceleration of tree planting and growth,” he noted.
Prof. Kindiki further said the restoration of the country’s five major water towers had gained momentum, including Mt Kenya, the Aberdare Ranges, the Mau Complex, Cherangany and Mt Elgon ecosystems.
Environmental stakeholders and local leaders attending the event welcomed the CHERISH initiative, saying it would help reverse environmental degradation in the Cherangany Hills while promoting sustainable livelihoods among surrounding communities.
The Cherangany Hills are one of Kenya’s critical water towers and biodiversity hotspots, supporting rivers that serve millions of people in the Rift Valley and western Kenya regions.
By Rennish Okong’o
