The national government’s 15 billion Tree Growing and Landscape Restoration Initiative has gained strong momentum in Kericho County.
Concerted efforts in reforestation, agroforestry, and ecosystem rehabilitation have resulted in the planting of millions of trees across thousands of hectares.
These efforts are laying the foundation for long-term environmental recovery, improved water catchment protection, and gradual enhancement of the county’s tree cover, contributing to the national goal of increasing Kenya’s tree cover to 30 per cent by 2032.
According to Kericho County Forest Conservator James Kwambai, since 2022 the county has planted more than 8,197,603 tree seedlings across 5,618.755 hectares under the national 15 billion Tree Growing and Landscape Restoration Programme.
This has raised overall tree cover in Kericho to 18 per cent, while forest cover has reached 15 per cent due to intensified conservation and community-led reforestation initiatives.
The Conservator noted that Kericho’s annual planting target stands at 16.3 million trees.
If the momentum is sustained through strong partnerships, institutional support, and active community participation, the county could cumulatively plant approximately 163 million trees by 2032.
Kwambai further disclosed that Kenya Forest Service (KFS) teams have successfully contained recent forest fires in Londiani Forest through enhanced surveillance, community alerts, and rapid response mechanisms, safeguarding both natural forests and newly established plantations.
Plans are also underway to fence about 3,000 hectares covering parts of Londiani and Kuresoi forests to protect young seedlings from destruction by wild animals and human encroachment, which threaten restoration gains.
During a tree planting exercise at Nyabangi Primary and Secondary Schools in Belgut Sub-County, Deputy County Commissioner (DCC) Francisca Hakai said that 1,000 trees were planted in an event attended by officials from the Regional Centre on Groundwater Resources, Education, Research and Training, and the Kericho County Government, as well as students and teachers.
Hakai emphasised that local chiefs are taking the lead in grassroots mobilisation, ensuring that communities actively participate in the 15 billion Tree Growing Initiative and consistently meet monthly planting targets set for each location.
Under guidance from the State Department for Internal Security and National Administration, all chiefs coordinate monthly community tree-growing activities in their areas, with each administrative unit expected to plant at least 200 seedlings to maintain progress toward national restoration targets.
“We are working closely with chiefs, village elders, and development partners to ensure that tree planting becomes a continuous programme where communities take responsibility for nurturing and protecting seedlings,” Hakai said.
She noted that the administration has strengthened collaboration with KFS, the Kericho County Government, learning institutions, and private companies such as Browns Plantations to guarantee adequate seedling supply, technical expertise, and sustained public sensitisation across Belgut Sub-County.
Deputy County Commissioner Hakai further explained that chiefs use public barazas to educate residents on the need to protect riparian reserves by removing inappropriate eucalyptus trees and replacing them with indigenous species that enhance soil stability, improve water retention, and safeguard streams.
County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Water, Environment, Energy and Natural Resources Philemon Kurkade said Kericho County recently partnered with the Regional Centre on Groundwater Resources to promote environmental conservation and water resource awareness among learners and surrounding communities through school-based tree-growing initiatives.
He noted that collaboration between the county government, national agencies, and research institutions strengthens ecosystem restoration, groundwater protection, and long-term climate resilience, ensuring sustainable environmental resources for present and future generations.
The Chief Executive Officer of the Regional Centre on Groundwater Resources, Education, Research and Training, Mr. Patrick Murunga, said that the tree planting exercise complements the agency’s ongoing groundwater research, including the installation of a Global Network of Isotopes in Precipitation monitoring station in Kericho.
This facility will generate critical data to inform sustainable water resource planning and management locally and nationally.
Murunga further assured that integrating tree planting with scientific groundwater monitoring enables the county to understand the direct impact of reforestation on aquifer recharge, soil moisture retention, and local climate regulation, ensuring that environmental restoration projects deliver measurable benefits for communities and future generations.
The initiative, combining large-scale tree planting with science-based monitoring, exemplifies the county’s commitment to achieving the national restoration targets while enhancing climate resilience, biodiversity conservation, and water security.
Through strong partnerships and community engagement, Kericho County continues to play a leading role in Kenya’s 15 billion Tree Growing and Landscape Restoration Initiative.
By Kibe Mburu
