Fourth Kaptagat Tree Planting Edition 2020: 105 Hectares Restored, 100,000 Indigenous Seedlings Planted, and Forest Adoption Framework Launched

The Fourth Edition of the Kaptagat Tree Planting Campaign was held on June 26, 2020, at Kittany Vocational Institute and was graced by Hon. Keriako Tobiko, E.G.H., Cabinet Secretary for the Ministry of Environment and Forestry. The event brought together key leaders including Dr. Chris Kiptoo, Principal Secretary of Environment and Forestry, Esther Koimet, PS for Telecommunication and Broadcasting, and Governors Jackson Mandago (Uasin Gishu) and Alex Tolgos (Elgeyo Marakwet). Also in attendance were Members of Parliament, County Commissioners, national and county officials, and Community Forest Associations (CFAs) from Kessup, Sabor, Kaptagat, and Penon. During this edition, the program expanded its restoration efforts to include Kaptagat, Penon, and Kessup forest stations, rehabilitating 105 hectares using over 100,000 assorted indigenous tree seedlings contributed by stakeholders such as WWF (33,500 seedlings) and NETFUND (16,000 seedlings).

In support of long-term forest sustainability, the Kenya Forest Service (KFS) and World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) signed a grant agreement worth Ksh 1,453,320 to maintain and protect five restoration sites across Sabor, Penon, and Kaptagat forests. Local CFAs provided labor for a one-year maintenance program, ensuring community ownership and stewardship of the rehabilitated landscapes. To further integrate sports and conservation, a Forest Adoption Framework for Collaboration (FFC) was signed and launched between KFS and the Dr. Eliud Kipchoge Foundation, covering the rehabilitation, branding, and maintenance of 50.8 hectares in the Kaptagat Forest Reserve over a five-year period. Recognizing the importance of policy in sustainable forestry, Hon. Tobiko also launched the Elgeyo Marakwet County Sustainable Forest Management and Tree Growing Policy (2020), developed with support from UNDP Kenya through the Forest Carbon Partnership Facility (FCPF) REDD+ Readiness Project. These efforts reflect the region’s commitment to environmental restoration, climate action, and inclusive community-led conservation in the North Rift ecosystem.