First Lady Mama Rachel Ruto and Kenya’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Dr Ida Odinga, today led a major tree-planting exercise in the Mau Forest Complex, reaffirming Kenya’s commitment to restoring one of the country’s most critical ecosystems while improving livelihoods for surrounding communities.
The conservation exercise, held under the Mau Forest Complex Integrated Conservation and Livelihood Improvement Programme, brought together local communities, officials from the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Forestry, and development partners in an ambitious initiative that aims to plant more than 40 million seedlings over the next ten years.
As part of the restoration programme, the First Lady adopted 33 hectares at Marindas Station within the Mau Forest Complex, reinforcing her commitment to environmental conservation and the Government’s national tree-growing campaign.
Addressing residents at Baringo Primary School in Kuresoi North, Mrs Ruto said the restoration of the Mau Forest demonstrates what is possible when a nation places environmental stewardship at the centre of its development agenda.
“The Mau Forest itself stands as a powerful reminder of what is possible when a nation chooses restoration over destruction. Its protection required vision, courage and difficult decisions. We acknowledge leaders who have continuously championed its restoration because they understood that protecting our forests was never simply about trees; it was about securing Kenya’s future,” she said.
The First Lady said protecting forests is essential for safeguarding Kenya’s water resources, agricultural productivity and the livelihoods of millions of citizens.
“Our forests are not simply collections of trees. They are living cathedrals of God’s creation, silent providers that ask for nothing yet give us everything. They bring rain to our farms, protect our rivers, purify the air we breathe, nourish our crops and sustain millions of livelihoods. Conservation is not ultimately about trees. It is about the future our children will inherit,” she said.
Mrs Ruto reaffirmed her commitment to the goal of growing 500 million trees while supporting the restoration of critical ecosystems across the country, including the adoption of the Shikusa Block in Kakamega Forest.
She also urged Kenyans to embrace clean cooking technologies, particularly biogas, to reduce dependence on firewood and charcoal.
“Every biogas unit installed protects our forests, improves our health and secures a cleaner future for generations to come. Let us make clean cooking the norm in every home, school and community,” she said.
Dr Ida Odinga announced that she would also adopt a section of the forest, describing the programme as a practical model that successfully integrates environmental restoration with community livelihoods.
“The solutions we debate in boardrooms around the world can be realised right here in the Mau Forest Complex,” she said.
Dr Odinga described the Mau Forest as one of East Africa’s most important water towers, noting that rivers originating from the forest feed Lake Victoria—the primary source of the River Nile—making its conservation vital to millions of people across the region. She called for similar restoration programmes to be replicated in other parts of the country.
Beyond ecological restoration, the programme incorporates a livelihood improvement component that allows local residents to cultivate food crops for up to three years while nurturing newly planted tree seedlings. More than 148,000 households across Kuresoi North, Kuresoi South, Njoro and Molo constituencies are expected to benefit through integrated value-chain initiatives aimed at improving food security and household incomes.
Environment, Climate Change and Forestry Cabinet Secretary Deborah Barasa called on Kenyans to actively participate in the national forest restoration agenda.
“Restoring forests is about restoring our homes and securing the future for generations to come,” she said.
The Cabinet Secretary announced that the Ministry will continue distributing tree seedlings during every rainy season and encouraged every Kenyan to plant at least 30 trees.
Forestry Principal Secretary Festus Ng’eno said President William Ruto has already adopted 100 acres under the restoration programme.
He said the initiative targets the planting of four million trees annually and the restoration of more than 33,000 hectares of degraded forest land.
“This is transformative. It is part of the promise the President made to plant 15 billion trees by 2032. Through this partnership-driven programme, we are restoring landscapes while improving livelihoods for local communities,” he said.
Also present were Gender Cabinet Secretary Hannah Cheptumo, Nakuru Deputy Governor David Kones, Kuresoi North MP Alfred Mutai, Nakuru Woman Representative Liza Chelule, Parliamentary Affairs Principal Secretary Aurelia Rono and Forestry Principal Secretary Gitonga Mugambi.
Mr Mutai praised the programme, noting that Kuresoi continues to benefit from major national government development projects, while Ms Chelule called for greater unity and cooperation among leaders to accelerate development.
The Marindas area at Bararget Forest Station forms part of the larger Mau Forest Complex, a key ecological restoration zone in the Rift Valley. Government agencies and conservation partners are promoting the planting of indigenous and agroforestry tree species to restore degraded landscapes, protect water catchments and strengthen community resilience to climate change.
