TAITA TAVETA, Kenya – The County Government of Taita Taveta has officially launched the Forest Landscape Restoration Implementation Plan (FOLAREP).
Salim Mvurya, Cabinet Secretary for Youth Affairs, Creative Economy, and Sports, presided over the event during this year’s World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought.
Area Governor Dr. Andrew Mwadime said that this new development was a moment to unite and take action to restore and protect degraded lands.
Today marks an important day as we celebrate this national event. We thank the National Government for choosing Taita Taveta as the host. This is a moment to unite and take action to restore and protect the land that sustains us,” said the county boss.
How the UK is supporting Kenya’s climate action journey
FOLAREP is a UK-PACT-funded initiative implemented with partners CIFOR-ICRAF, FAO, and the African Wildlife Foundation, setting guidelines to restore 226,420 hectares of desolate lands.
“The UK is proud to be a committed partner in Kenya’s journey toward climate resilience and environmental sustainability. Through the UK PACT (Partnering for Accelerated Climate Transitions) programme, we are supporting initiatives that deliver real impact on the ground, including the development of this Forest and Landscape Restoration Framework Plan,” Robina Abuya, Climate Change Portfolio Manager, British High Commission, remarked.
Meshack Muga, National Project Coordinator for the Kenya ASAL TRI initiative on behalf of the FAO-Kenya Representative, asserted that:
“The FOLAREP is an ambitious and participatory plan, fully aligned with Kenya’s development priorities, the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, and FAO’s 4 Betters. Let’s ensure it’s not just launched, but fully implemented, well-resourced, and sustained for lasting impact.”
CS Mvurya, who represented First Lady Mama Rachel Ruto at the event, observed that everyone has a patriotic duty to conserve the environment.
“So, let us rally together as Kenyans to plant trees and help achieve the 15 billion tree target. As we do so, we must embrace innovation to ensure tree planting also supports food security,” he added during the celebrations at Kenyatta High School, Mwatate.
What the international celebrations’ theme means to Kenya
CS Mvurya was accompanied by his colleagues, Dr. Debra Barasa (Environment, Climate Change and Forestry) and Beatrice Askul (EAC and ASALs).
“The theme, Restore the Land: Unlock the Opportunities, speaks directly to the task before us: to restore our degraded ecosystems and confront the growing threats of desertification and drought. This reminded me of the words of Mahatma Gandhi: “The earth provides enough to satisfy every man’s needs, but not every man’s greed.” These words are a powerful reminder of our shared responsibility to care for the environment with sustainability and equity in mind,” said CS Mvurya.
According to CS Mvurya, desertification and drought are not just environmental challenges—they are socio-economic realities that affect youth, our women, our farmers, and entire communities, particularly those living in arid and semi-arid areas like Taita Taveta.
“These communities are full of potential and rich cultural heritage, yet they remain vulnerable due to the impacts of land degradation,” he explained.
How can the youth be empowered to become agents of change
As the Ministry of Youth Affairs, Creative Economy, and Sports, the CS disclosed that he is committed to empowering young people to be agents of change.
“We want to turn environmental challenges into opportunities—opportunities for innovation, for enterprise, for resilience, and sustainable livelihoods. The creative economy also plays a crucial role in this mission. Through storytelling, music, art, and digital platforms, our youth can raise awareness and drive conversations about desertification and drought in ways that inspire, educate, and mobilise communities,” added CS Mvurya.
CS Mvurya also took advantage of the event to urge all stakeholders, government entities, civil society, private sector actors, and the youth to work hand in hand with the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, and Forestry.
“Together, we can craft forward-looking programs that bring together science, creativity, sports, and community action. Let us harness the power of innovation and collective effort to restore our lands, protect our resources, and build resilient communities that can thrive despite the uncertainties of our climate,” explained the CS.
Why the Taita Taveta County is keen on increasing tree cover
Meanwhile, in his concluding remarks, Taita Taveta CECM Mwandawiro Grantone, in charge of Water, Sanitation, Environment, Climate Change, and Natural Resources, stated:
“This international day’s theme aligns with our campaign to restore 226,420 ha through the FOLAREP document.”
In Taita Taveta County, tree-growing has been largely linked to cutting carbon emissions, hence reversing the effects of climate change.
This puts the coastal Kenya devolved unit a step closer towards being a benchmark county to restore degraded lands through nature-based solutions like tree-growing.
