About Us
Restoring the Kaptagat Ecosystem — One Tree at a Time
Key Initiatives
Our Story
Founded in 2017 by Dr. Chris K. Kiptoo—a local native and environmental advocate—Kaptagat Integrated Conservation Initiative (KICI) began as a movement to mobilize forest-edge communities and restore degraded areas of the Kaptagat Forest. This effort unites people across Elgeyo Marakwet and Uasin Gishu Counties.
The region includes forest blocks like Pombo, Sabor, Benson, Kipkabus, and Kessup, which support biodiversity and feed rivers such as Ndoroti and Sosiani, eventually draining into Lake Victoria. Driven by Dr. Kiptoo’s lifelong passion for flora and fauna, and in response to deforestation and climate impacts, KICI began hosting annual tree planting editions that have grown into a large regional event.
"Every time I plant a tree seedling, it reminds me that it's not about me. It's about us. It's about humanity."
Our Mission
Our mission is to restore and enhance the Kaptagat ecosystem. Through our tree planting efforts, we aim to preserve natural habitats, boost ecological resilience, and create a sustainable future. We believe trees are the foundation of a healthy planet and are committed to nurturing them to safeguard our natural heritage.
Our Impact
Tree Growing Editions
50 hectares covered
60,000 assorted indigenous tree seedlings
Location: Bombo,sabor
40 hectares covered
18,000 assorted indigenous tree seedlings
20,000 avocado tree seedlings (100ha)
Location: Kittany, Sabor
15 hectares covered
48,000 assorted indigenous tree seedlings
Location: Kapchesoo, Sabor
118 hectares covered
20,000 bamboo seedlings
126,000 assorted indigenous tree seedlings
Location: Kessup, Kaptagat, Kipkabus, Penon& Sabor forest blocks
185.4 hectares covered
222,480 assorted indigenous tree seedlings
3,00 avocado tree seedlings (15 ha)
Location: Kessup, Kaptagat, Penon, Kipkabus, and Sabor forest blocks
480.8 hectares covered
576,960 assorted indigenous tree seedlings
40,000 avocado tree seedlings (200 ha)
96,000 commercial woodlots (80 ha)
Location: Kaptagat, Penon, Sabor, Kipkabus
436 hectares covered
479,600 assorted indigenous tree seedlings
100,000 avocado tree seedlings (505 ha)
Location: Kaptagat, Kessup, Penon, Kipkabus, and Sabor forest blocks
511.85 hectares covered
50,000 avocado tree seedlings
30,000 tea plants
2,500 coffee plants
35 cross-breed heifers
Etion Dam Launched
Yogot Dam commissioned
1 borehole Launched
Location: Kessup, Kipkabus, and Sabor
988 hectares covered
385,000 Tea Seedlings
3,000 Macadamia
70,000 Avocado Seedlings
2,000 Tree Tomato seedlings
111,000 Coffee Seedlings
10,000 Mangoes
100,000 Mixed Tree Seedlings
38 Heifers + 1 Bull
120 Bee Hives
Borehole Drilling & Solarization
Commissioning & Launch of Dams
4 Acres of Avocado Orchard Established
Commissioning of Computer Labs at Simotwo Boys (25 Computers)
51 Seater Isuzu Bus for Metkei Girls - Keiyo South
Flagging Off of 2 Milk Coolers
Location: Kipkabus ( Kamwosor), Kaptagat, Kapkoi, Tambach, Kimwogo, Kapchebutuk, Keiyo South, Etio and Tirwane Dams, Kapchebutuk, Simotwo Boys, Kimore and Kessup, Kaptikony and Tumeiywo
Safeguarding Kenya’s Vital Water Tower
Kaptagat Forest Ecosystem
The Kaptagat region is part of the Cherangani Hills Water Tower, one of Kenya's five major water towers. This ecosystem supports key rivers—Nzoia, Turkwel, and Kerio—which provide drainage to Lake Victoria and Lake Turkana basins. It includes forest blocks such as Cheboyit, Embobut, Kaptagat, Kipkabus, and Kiptaberr, spread across Elgeyo Marakwet, Trans Nzoia, and West Pokot Counties.
With over 120,000 hectares under protection and a buffer zone of more than 240,000 hectares, the region is essential for water security, biodiversity conservation, and climate resilience in Kenya's Rift Valley.
Partners
Our Valued Supporters
