By Urban Shihemi, November 4, 2025 The government has unveiled an ambitious plan to rehabilitate more than 103,000 hectares of degraded forest and farmland across Bungoma and Trans Nzoia counties, in a major effort to restore Mt. Elgon ecosystem, one of Kenya’s five key water towers. The restoration initiative will be spearheaded by Principal Secretary for Mining, Harry Kimtai, who emphasized the critical ecological and economic role of Mt. Elgon in supporting livelihoods, biodiversity, and water supply for communities in western Kenya and beyond. “Mt. Elgon is not just a mountain it is a lifeline. It sustains rivers, supports agriculture, and provides water to millions. Restoring it is vital for the country’s environmental and economic resilience,” said PS Kimtai during the Mt. Elgon Day 2025 Breakfast Meeting. The programme forms part of the government’s broader 15 Billion Trees Campaign (2022–2032), which aims to expand Kenya’s forest cover and address the impacts of climate change through sustainable land restoration and conservation. Speaking during the same event, Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Forestry Dr. Deborah Barasa lauded the initiative as a crucial milestone in safeguarding Kenya’s natural heritage and meeting the country’s reforestation goals. “Mt. Elgon is one of Kenya’s most important water towers, and its restoration is not just a local priority but a national obligation,” said CS Barasa. “This initiative aligns with our 15 Billion Trees Campaign and demonstrates our commitment to restoring degraded ecosystems, improving water security, and building resilience against climate change.” She noted that the Ministry of Environment, in collaboration with the Ministry of Mining and other partners, will provide technical and policy support to ensure that the Mt. Elgon rehabilitation plan is implemented effectively and sustainably. The restoration project is a collaborative effort involving multiple stakeholders, including the County Governments of Bungoma, the Kenya Forestry Research Institute (KEFRI), the Kenya Forest Service (KFS), and the State Department for Mining, among others. PS Kimtai reaffirmed the government’s commitment to achieving sustainable restoration outcomes, noting that inter-agency cooperation and community participation will be key to the project’s long-term success. “This is a shared responsibility from government to communities, we all have a role in protecting Mt. Elgon and ensuring it continues to serve generations to come,” he said. The meeting comes just days before Mt Elgon Day which will be commemorated on November 7, 2025.