The Government has drafted a strategy to restore 62,038 hectares of highly degraded escarpments and riparian land, protect 20 springs and secure water towers, and create 500,000 green jobs for youth in bee-keeping, agroforestry, and eco-tourism.
Interior and National Administration Cabinet Secretary (CS), Kipchumba Murkomen, said that the Cherangany Hills ecosystem is one of Kenya’s five critical water towers.
The ecosystem spans an area of 414,928 hectares across four (4) counties: Elgeyo-Marakwet, West Pokot, Trans-Nzoia, and Uasin Gishu.
Murkomen said that over time, the ecosystem has been degraded by unregulated human activities, resulting in loss of lives and livelihoods, biodiversity loss, and recurring landslides.
“Currently, 15 per cent of the ecosystem is severely degraded, while 67 per cent is moderately degraded. In the process, 41,547 hectares of forest cover and 76,757 hectares of grassland have been lost,” Murkomen.
He explained that to save lives, restore livelihoods and safeguard this invaluable yet threatened resource, the government has come- up with the Cherangany Hills Ecosystem Restoration for Livelihood Improvement, Sustainability and Harmony (CHERISH) programme: a ten-year, strategic intervention anchored on the President’s 15 billion Tree Agenda.
Speaking, Friday, during a partners’ briefing to secure their support of the conservation and restoration agenda, Murkomen said that the government will launch the CHERISH programme officially on 22nd May, 2026, in Elgeyo-Marakwet County, a day that coincides with the International Day of Biodiversity.
The launch will be preceded by the inaugural Cherangany Conservation Run on 21st May, 2026, in the same County.
“We are honoured to have the distinguished presence of my colleague Dr. Deborah Barasa (CS for Environment, Climate Change and Forestry), Governor Wisley Rotich, Senator William Kisang, MPs Timothy Toroitich, Adams Kipsanai and Caroline Ng’elechei, PSs Gitonga Mugambi (Forestry), Dr Festus Ng’engo (Environment) and Eng. Joel Arumonyang (Public Works), OKM Foundation Chairperson, Gladys Kipchumba, and Speaker Lawi Kiribe among others who we will work with in this programme,” he said.
Other partners who were present include UNDP, Equity Group and Foundation, KCB, IGAD, WRI, OKM Foundation, Soipan Tuya Foundation, KEPSA, KALRO, Kenyatta University, WWF Kenya, KenGen, KWS, Kenya Forest Service, Water Resources Authority, Nyayo Tea Zones Development Corporation, Nature Kenya, and Kenya Accreditation Service.
By Joseph Ng’ang’a
