25/06/2026
The Mau Forest Complex is far more than a collection of trees; it serves as the vital water tower of the nation. It sustains life by feeding twelve rivers and five lakes, influencing ecosystems as far reaching as Lake Natron, the sanctuary of the flamingos, and providing the essential water flow required for the Grand Renaissance Dam.
Recognizing that the degradation of this forest directly mirrors the decline in agricultural productivity and community welfare, the Mau Forest Complex Integrated Conservation and Livelihood Improvement Programme was established. This ten year, partner driven initiative was conceptualized to break the cycle of environmental destruction by fostering community led stewardship.
The leadership of the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Forestry, led by the Cabinet Secretary Dr. Deborah Mlongo Barasa, the Principal Secretary for the State Department for Environment and Climate Change, Dr. Eng. Festus K. Ng’eno, who serves as the patron of the programme, and the Principal Secretary for the State Department for Forestry, Mr. Gitonga Mugambi, hosted Her Excellency the First Lady Mama Rachel Ruto.
The event was also attended by other leaders in government, special interest groups, women, children, and the general public of Kuresoi.
Since its launch by His Excellency President Dr. William Samoei Ruto in October 2025, the program has made significant progress. Guided by the philosophy of Linda Mau, Boresha Maisha, the initiative has already transitioned 1,500 hectares of degraded land into active restoration sites, with 1.5 million trees planted across the Bararget and Gacharage forest stations.
The project aims to restore over 33,000 hectares and plant 40 million trees within its decade long mandate. However, the core of this mission lies in its four pillar strategy: forest restoration, livelihood improvement, circular economy integration, and environmental education.
Central to this effort is the Trees Establishment and Livelihood Improvement Scheme(TELIS). This system empowers over 10,230 households by allowing them to cultivate crops, such as potatoes, pyrethrum, avocado, dairy, and coffee, within designated forest zones. Participants tend to tree seedlings alongside these crops, ensuring that as the forest recovers, the community prospers. This approach has already begun to stabilize household incomes, with plans to expand the initiative to include circular economy practices, such as school waste management and product buy back programs.
The program has thrived through co creation with a wide array of partners, including the KEPSA Foundation, GGI, the United Nations Development Programme, the State Department for Livestock, and the County Government of Nakuru.
Furthermore, the commitment of leadership at all levels has been instrumental, from the active participation of the First Lady in promoting kitchen garden technologies for school children, to the collaboration between the various Principal Secretaries and the Governor of Nakuru.
With similar conservation programs emerging across the country, the work in the Mau stands as a blueprint for national climate action. By prioritizing education through sports and marathons, the program ensures that the next generation remains connected to the land.
Through this unified effort, the Mau is not only being restored as an ecological asset but is also being cemented as the foundation for the long term economic and social resilience of the people of Kuresoi and beyond.William Samoei Ruto State House Kenya Mama Rachel Ruto Deborah Mlongo Barasa Dr. Ida Odinga Dr. Eng. Festus Ng’eno Aurelia Chepkirui Rono Elizabeth Wathuti - Liz Mazingira
