Bomet: Environment, Climate Change, and Forestry Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has called for collaborative efforts to restore and protect Kenya's forests, emphasizing their crucial role in food security, biodiversity conservation, and economic empowerment. In a speech read on his behalf during the International Day of Forests celebrations at Chepalungu Forest in Bomet County, Forestry Principal Secretary Gitonga Mugambi highlighted the urgent need to combat deforestation, land degradation, and climate change, which threaten food production and livelihoods.
According to Kenya News Agency, Duale outlined the government's ongoing efforts to restore forests, including fencing public forests to curb encroachment, implementing the Green Zones Development Programme to enhance community resilience, and advancing the ambitious 15 billion Tree Growing Programme to boost forest cover and mitigate climate change. So far, 766.3 million trees have been planted nationwide, with Bomet County achieving a 26.78% tree cover and an annual planting target of over 13 million trees.
Notably, Chepalungu Forest, once a thriving ecosystem, has suffered immense degradation due to illegal logging, encroachment, and overgrazing. However, the CS said that restoration efforts are underway, including policy amendments such as the Forest Conservation and Management Act 2016 and the Draft Climate Change (Non-Market Approaches) Regulation 2025. Duale encouraged Kenyans and development partners to take advantage of the current long rains season to intensify tree-planting efforts across the country. "Tree planting is not just about numbers-it is a long-term investment in food security, biodiversity conservation, and economic empowerment," he stated.
The event was attended by Bomet Governor Prof. Hillary Barchok, Smach Foundation Founder Charlene Ruto, Environment PS Eng. Festus Ngeno, and Sotik MP Francis Sigei, among other dignitaries. Charlene Ruto stressed the importance of building environmental awareness among young learners. Through the Smach Foundation, she is promoting tree nurseries in schools and communities to provide seedlings and encourage afforestation. The Smach foundation has also launched a fruit tree planting campaign to enhance conservation efforts while boosting local economies through income-generating fruit harvests.
Governor Barchok reaffirmed his administration's commitment to environmental conservation by allocating funds for forest restoration and engaging local communities through socio-economic initiatives such as beekeeping and Community Forest Associations (CFAs). He also revealed plans to introduce eco-friendly wildlife species into Chepalungu Forest in collaboration with the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) to enhance biodiversity and promote eco-tourism. Through this initiative, Governor Barchok urged Kenyans to embrace tree planting and sustainable land management, stating that forests remain a pillar of food security, climate resilience, and sustainable development.