NAIROBI, Kenya — Kenya Wildlife Service has launched the 10th edition of the Kaptagat Integrated Conservation Programme (KICP) as part of ongoing efforts to restore forest ecosystems and support the government’s national tree planting agenda.
The programme was officially launched in Nairobi by Joseph Lagat, Chairperson of the Kenya Wildlife Service Board of Trustees and head of the Kaptagat Conservation Project.
The initiative aims to restore and strengthen the Kaptagat ecosystem through tree planting, habitat preservation, and measures designed to improve ecological resilience while supporting sustainable livelihoods for surrounding communities.
Speaking during the launch, Lagat said the programme would continue working closely with conservation partners, local communities, institutions, and other stakeholders to achieve its long-term environmental goals.
He noted that the project aligns with the government’s target of planting 15 billion trees by 2032 under Kenya’s broader climate action and environmental restoration strategy.
“KICP will continue partnering with like-minded organizations and communities to realise its transformative vision,” Lagat said, while calling for stronger collaboration among stakeholders involved in conservation activities.
Erustus Kanga, Director General of KWS, praised the programme for its contribution to restoring the Kaptagat Forest ecosystem, describing the area as a critical habitat for diverse wildlife, including birds and insects.
Prof. Kanga urged government agencies, conservation groups, private-sector players, and local communities to intensify support for tree-planting and ecosystem-restoration initiatives across the country.
“Environmental conservation remains a shared responsibility critical to securing a greener and more sustainable future for Kenya,” he said.
The Kaptagat ecosystem, located in the North Rift region, is considered one of Kenya’s important water towers and biodiversity zones. Conservationists have warned that deforestation, land degradation, and climate change continue to threaten fragile ecosystems across the country.
Kenya has, in recent years, accelerated reforestation campaigns as part of commitments to combat climate change, restore degraded landscapes, and improve water catchment protection.
The national target of planting 15 billion trees by 2032 forms part of the government’s climate mitigation strategy and broader environmental sustainability agenda.
