Vihiga: The Vihiga county government has embarked on a bold move to plant 24 million trees by 2032, in line with the national government's 15 billion Trees Initiative. The area governor Dr. Wilber Ottichilo made this declaration during the Maragoli Hills Ecosystem Restoration Conference 2025, held at Ideleri primary school in Vihiga Sub-County.
According to Kenya News Agency, the conference was themed "A Collaborative Restoration of Maragoli Hills Ecosystem: A Commitment to Care for our Common Home," and focused on environmental conservation, climate change adaptation, and climate-smart agriculture. It brought together community members, environmental stakeholders, and development partners to strategize on reviving the degraded Maragoli Hills ecosystem.
Dr. Ottichilo acknowledged the Catholic Justice and Peace Department (CJPD), Diocese of Kakamega for spearheading efforts in the restoration of the Maragoli Hills Forest. He emphasized the need for multi-stakeholder collaboration, urging local residents and partners to join hands in preserving the environment. "In the next five years, we hope to restore our forests to their former glory. Residents can also take up beekeeping as an alternative livelihood," said the Governor. He added, "We're not just focusing on this forest. We have already rehabilitated indigenous lands in Hamisi Sub County and by 2032, we aim to plant 24 million trees."
At the same time, the county is currently implementing an apiculture project within Maragoli Hills Forest, with plans to establish a honey processing plant to boost local incomes through sustainable beekeeping. The governor further envisions Maragoli Hills becoming a tourism hub, while encouraging residents to plant fruit trees as an income-generating activity. He also addressed the issue of settlements within the forest, assuring that all possible solutions are being explored.
Speaking at the same event, an Economist and Environmental Researcher, Dr. Rutto Reuben, advocated for permaculture, a sustainable agricultural approach that mimics natural ecosystems to promote biodiversity, long-term land use, and resilience in farming systems. The conference marked a critical step forward in restoring one of Vihiga's key ecological zones, while empowering local communities with knowledge and alternative livelihoods for sustainable development.