By Nemuel Ondima
Kenya has officially designated November 7 as Mt. Elgon Day, launching a national initiative to restore and protect one of the country’s most critical water towers.
The announcement was made by the environment, climate change, and Forestry Cabinet Secretary Dr. Deborah M. Barasa during a media breakfast in Nairobi, where she unveiled a 10-year restoration plan targeting over 103,000 hectares of degraded land within the Mt. Elgon ecosystem.
Dr. Barasa said the initiative forms part of the government’s wider strategy to tackle deforestation, boost climate resilience, and promote sustainable livelihoods.
“Mount Elgon has suffered from deforestation and unsustainable land use, leading to declining water levels and reduced ecosystem services — reminding us that the cost of environmental destruction is too high to bear,” she said.
To guide implementation, Principal Secretary for Mining Harry Kimtai has been appointed Patron and Champion of the Mt. Elgon Restoration Programme. The project aligns with key national priorities, including the Presidential Directive to grow 15 billion trees by 2032, the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), and the National Climate Change Action Plan (NCCAP).
Dr. Barasa highlighted that in 2023, UNESCO designated the Mt. Elgon ecosystem as a Transboundary Biosphere Reserve (TBR) — one of only two in Africa — shared between Kenya and Uganda. She cautioned that ongoing degradation could threaten this global recognition.
“This remarkable achievement opens opportunities for funding, conservation, research, and sustainable livelihoods,” she noted. “But it is not permanent — we must act to safeguard it.”
Beyond ecosystem recovery, the programme seeks to create green jobs, enhance clean energy access, strengthen agricultural value chains, and promote environmental education in schools and universities. It also integrates youth empowerment, cultural preservation, and sports development within local communities.
Dr. Barasa called on all partners — including county governments, the private sector, conservation groups, and development organizations to support the restoration agenda.
“Let Mount Elgon rise again — green, vibrant, and full of life,” she declared.
According to the Ministry, the Mt. Elgon Restoration Programme will serve as a national model for sustainable landscape management, advancing Kenya’s environmental goals and global climate commitments.
