The Kaptagat Integrated Conservation Programme (KICP) is marking a decade of environmental restoration and community transformation, with stakeholders now exploring ways to scale the model’s impact beyond the Kaptagat ecosystem.
Source: Facebook
Preparations for the 10th edition of the programme intensified this week when professionals and stakeholders from the Kaptagat ecosystem met in Nairobi under the leadership of programme patron and National Treasury Principal Secretary Dr Chris Kiptoo.
The meeting focused on strengthening partnerships and aligning priorities ahead of the milestone event scheduled for July 11, 2026.
Held under the theme “10 to 20: Restore. Sustain. Transform,” the anniversary edition will celebrate ten years of conservation achievements while setting the stage for a new decade of ecosystem restoration, sustainable livelihoods and community development.
In his speech, Principal Secretary Kiptoo said the programme has demonstrated that environmental restoration can go hand in hand with economic empowerment and social transformation.
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“This is not a social programme but an economic one,” he said.
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“We want to replicate the Kaptagat programme across the whole country. Let us help our people transform their lives. Everybody should live in a sustainable environment to lead sustainable livelihoods,” the PS added.
Over the years, KICP has evolved into a holistic development model guided by four key pillars: Mazingira Safi (Clean Environment), Kawi Safi Nyumbani (Clean Energy at Home), Maji Nyumbani (Water at Home) and Pesa Mfukoni (Money in the Pocket).
Gains made by the Kiptagat conservation model
These pillars underpin interventions aimed at restoring degraded landscapes, improving access to clean energy, expanding water access and creating sustainable income opportunities for communities living around the forest.
The Kaptagat ecosystem remains one of the region’s most important water towers, supporting biodiversity, regulating water flows and supplying a significant share of the water consumed in Eldoret City.
The ecosystem also supports livelihoods across Elgeyo Marakwet, Uasin Gishu and neighbouring counties.
Founded in 2017, the programme began as an effort to restore 50 hectares of degraded forest land.
Since then, it has grown into a large-scale conservation and development initiative involving thousands of participants and multiple community-focused interventions.
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Last year alone, the programme covered 988 hectares through restoration activities and distributed hundreds of thousands of seedlings, including tea, coffee, avocado, macadamia and mixed tree species.
How communities have benefited from Kaptagat Conservation
Communities also benefited from dairy development initiatives, beekeeping projects, dam construction, borehole drilling, educational support and orchard establishment, all aimed at strengthening household incomes while reducing pressure on forest resources.
The programme further seeks to create at least 2,000 green jobs through conservation, climate-smart agriculture and ecosystem restoration activities.
Stakeholders say KICP has become a practical demonstration of how environmental conservation can deliver tangible economic and social benefits.
As the initiative enters its second decade, attention is increasingly turning to how its lessons and successes can be adapted to support ecosystem restoration and community development in other parts of the country.
Programme leaders, after a decade, say the ultimate goal remains clear: restoring ecosystems while empowering communities to build sustainable and resilient livelihoods.
Moi University marks World Environment Day
In other news, Moi University joined the national drive to mark World Environment Day with a major tree-planting exercise aimed at boosting environmental conservation and restoring degraded ecosystems.
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Students, staff, and partners took part in the initiative held across campus grounds, reflecting Kenya’s broader goal of increasing forest cover under the 15 billion trees campaign.
The university set an ambitious target of planting up to 10,000 trees as part of its commitment to sustainability and climate action.
Source: NgGossips
