NANYUKI, Kenya — The government has launched the Ewaso Ng’iro Water and Climate Resilience Programme, an initiative aimed at restoring degraded ecosystems, strengthening water security and enhancing climate resilience for communities living within the Ewaso Ng’iro Basin.
The programme was launched in Nanyuki, Laikipia County, during a ceremony presided over by Water, Sanitation and Irrigation Cabinet Secretary Eric Mugaa. Kenya Forest Service (KFS) Commandant Mohammed A. Mohammed represented the Chief Conservator of Forests at the event.
The initiative brings together national and county governments, development partners and environmental stakeholders to promote sustainable water resource management while restoring degraded landscapes across the basin.
Speaking during the launch, Mugaa described the programme as critical to safeguarding livelihoods in the region, noting that restoring water catchment areas remains essential to addressing the effects of climate change.
He said the project will support the planting of one million trees under the National 15 Billion Tree Growing Programme, aligning with the government’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda and Kenya Vision 2030.
The Cabinet Secretary called for stronger collaboration among stakeholders to ensure the programme achieves its environmental and socio-economic objectives.
Representing the Chief Conservator of Forests, Commandant Mohammed reaffirmed KFS’s commitment to supporting the initiative through technical expertise and coordinated implementation.
He said the restoration of the Ewaso Ng’iro River ecosystem is vital for environmental sustainability and long-term water security.
“The Kenya Forest Service will provide the necessary technical support and work closely with partners to ensure the successful implementation of the programme,” he said.
Water Sector Trust Fund Chief Executive Officer Willis Ombai said climate change has accelerated the degradation of water resources and increased the frequency of extreme weather events across the region.
He noted that the programme will rehabilitate 48,000 hectares of degraded landscapes across the five counties within the basin through large-scale tree-growing activities undertaken in partnership with the Kenya Forest Service.
According to Ombai, the restoration efforts are expected to improve biodiversity, conserve water resources and strengthen the socio-economic resilience of local communities.
The launch was attended by Water Principal Secretary Julius Korir, governors from the beneficiary counties, representatives of the Danish Embassy and other development partners.
Separately, Commandant Mohammed visited Kenya Forest Service officer Zawadi Kakuche, who is receiving treatment at Nanyuki Cottage Hospital after sustaining injuries while on duty during the ongoing multi-agency security operation against armed bandits in Mukogodo Forest.
According to KFS, the officer is responding well to treatment.