NAIROBI, Kenya — Environment Principal Secretary Dr. Eng. Festus K. Ng’eno has held a consultative meeting with key partners implementing the Cherangany Hills Ecosystem Restoration for Livelihood Improvement, Sustainability and Harmony (CHERISH) Programme to assess progress made since its launch in May.
In a statement on Tuesday, Ng’eno said the meeting brought together the CHERISH coordination team, the OKM Foundation and the National Environment Trust Fund (NETFUND) to evaluate implementation of the initiative.
The CHERISH Programme operates under the patronage of Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen and seeks to restore the Cherangany Hills Water Tower while enhancing climate resilience and supporting sustainable livelihoods through ecosystem restoration and environmental management.
Ng’eno commended the implementing partners for the milestones achieved since the programme was launched.
“I commended the team for the progress achieved so far and emphasized the importance of strengthening collaboration with existing government and partner-led initiatives to maximize impact, avoid duplication of efforts, and deliver lasting benefits to communities,” he said.
The Principal Secretary noted that stronger coordination among government agencies, development partners and implementing organisations would be critical in achieving the programme’s long-term objectives.
He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to protecting Kenya’s critical water towers and promoting sustainable environmental conservation.
“Together, we remain committed to restoring our critical ecosystems, safeguarding our water towers, and creating sustainable livelihood opportunities for everyone,” Ng’eno said.
The Cherangany Hills is one of Kenya’s five major water towers and plays a vital role in supporting river systems, biodiversity and livelihoods across several counties.
The CHERISH Programme is designed to combine environmental restoration with community participation to improve ecosystem health while strengthening local resilience to climate change.