Trans Nzoia and Bungoma counties have partnered with the Kenya Forest Service to roll out a Sh600 million conservation project around the Mt Elgon Forest.
The Global Environment Facility is financing the project known as the Integrated Landscape Management for Conservation and Restoration of Mt Elgon Ecosystem.
Stakeholders met in Eldoret to deliberate on activities to be implemented under the project that is expected to benefit more than 60,000 households.
The project targets to restore more than 50,000 hectares ( 123,552 acres) of the agroforestry area.
Bungoma Governor Kenneth Lusaka said Mt Elgon is a key water tower and the project is an all-inclusive plan involving communities to conserve and protect the ecosystem.
“The activities we target will promote sustainable and integrated management of the Mt Elgon landscape through the development of an all-inclusive and responsible coffee value chain and sustainable staple food production systems,” he said.
Lusaka said there had been extensive degradation in the forest and efforts, including afforestation, would be made to reverse the situation through the joint project for which funding has been availed.
He said restoration of the Mt Elgon ecosystem is part of the plan to grow the western tourism circuit because the region has unique products to attract tourists.
The county boss said security has been improved and the counties along with the national government were working on a plan to improve the infrastructure in the region.
“As stakeholders, we have all committed to work with our communities and relevant agencies to ensure the project succeeds and meets the set targets,” Lusaka said.
Deputy chief conservator of forests Beatrice Mbula said the project entails public participation and views of residents would be key in driving the project.
“We will embrace working with the residents who will benefit from the forest through access to water, fresh air, grazing and the shamba system,” she said.
Mbula said the project will also support the maize and coffee value chains.
“This is a mwananchi driven project that brings all of us on board.
We will use all government and all
society approach so we all work for
success,” she said.
