The County Government of Nandi, through the Department of Environment, Natural Resources and Climate Change, has partnered with key stakeholders, including the Kiptapkei Community-Based Organization and NCBA Bank, to scale up conservation efforts along River Yala.
In a renewed effort to protect riparian land and restore the ecosystem, the partners have planted 2,600 indigenous trees along the riverbanks, reinforcing their commitment to sustained environmental restoration in the county.
James Melly, Director of the Department of Environment, Natural Resources and Climate Change, said the County has sustained tree-planting activities for more than seven years, focusing not only on the number of trees grown but also on their quality and also the quantity of the water from the water sources.
“We have seen tremendous improvement in the river’s water volume over this period, and this is largely due to community engagement and the awareness campaigns we have been conducting,” Melly said.
He noted that residents of Kabore in Nandi Central Sub-County, the source of River Yala, are now witnessing the fruits of these efforts, with livestock thriving as a result of cleaner and more reliable water.
Melly also urged residents to take advantage of the ongoing rains by planting short-term crops such as beans to boost household food production.
Joel Malakwen, who is the CEO of Kiptapkei Environmental CBO based in Kapsabet, emphasised that the initiative is central to climate change mitigation.
“Restoring riparian land is key to reducing the impact of climate change and enhancing biodiversity through tree planting, which is one of our main priorities,” he said.
NCBA Kapsabet Branch Manager, Phederesy Wesonga, who joined the community in the tree-planting exercise, reaffirmed the bank’s commitment to environmental conservation.
She noted that supporting such activities is not only part of their corporate responsibility but also aligns with President William Ruto’s directive to plant over 15 billion trees by 2030.
“Trees equal life, and we are committed to playing our part,” she said.
With institutions and community groups standing together, the riparian restoration efforts along River Yala highlight a growing movement in Nandi County which is geared towards improving the livelihoods of the people of Nandi.
By Geoffrey Satia and Joseline Chepkorir
