At the heart of the rolling landscape of Cherangany ecosystem faces beamed, hands clapped, feet danced, and faces lit up with joy as the community witnessed the unfolding of the long-awaited event—the official launch of the ‘Restoration and Sustainable Management of the Cherangany Forest Ecosystems for Climate Change Resilience and Improved Livelihoods’ on April 16, 2025, at the Chebara Agricultural Training Center.
The outstanding event was presided over by Cabinet Secretary Dr. Deborah Barasa, who was accompanied by Principal Secretary Dr. Eng. Festus Ng’eno, the Deputy Ambassador of Italy to Kenya, Lorenza Maria Gambacorta, the governors of EMC and W/Pokot Counties, head of the AICS, Ms. Valerie Buoninfante and the CEO NETFUND, Mr. Samson Toniok. Their presence, alongside other distinguished guests, underscored the National and International commitment to restoring the Cherangany Forest and uplifting the lives of communities that depend on it.
In her address, CS, Dr.Deborah Barasa emphasized the government’s unwavering commitment to environmental conservation as a pillar of sustainable development. She highlighted the critical role that forest ecosystems like Cherangany play in combating climate change, preserving biodiversity, and securing water towers for present and future generations. “This initiative is not just about trees—it’s about people, prosperity, and the planet,” she remarked, urging local communities, partners, and all stakeholders to take collective ownership of the restoration journey. She reaffirmed that the government would continue to invest in nature-based solutions that create green jobs, improve livelihoods, and build climate resilience across the country.
The three-year project, funded by the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS), adopts a multi-faceted approach to forest restoration and sustainable management—turning vision into action. It focuses on rehabilitating degraded areas through tree planting and natural regeneration, while empowering Community Forest Associations (CFAs) through training and resource support. To enhance local livelihoods, the project promotes sustainable income-generating activities such as beekeeping, eco-tourism, and agroforestry.
As the event concluded, the joy of all involved was palpable, particularly for NETFUND, the executing agency, which has played a pivotal role in driving the project forward. Their commitment to working closely with the respective counties of Elgeyo Marakwet and West Pokot has been instrumental in ensuring local communities are engaged, empowered, and directly benefit from the project’s initiatives. Through this collaborative effort, the vision of a restored Cherangany Forest, resilient to climate change and enriched with sustainable livelihoods, is becoming a reality.
Launch of the Cherangany Restoration Project: A Greener Future for People and Planet
At the heart of the rolling landscape of Cherangany ecosystem faces beamed, hands clapped, feet danced, and faces lit up with joy as the community witnessed the unfolding of the long-awaited event—the official launch of the ‘Restoration and Sustainable Management of the Cherangany Forest Ecosystems for Climate Change Resilience and Improved Livelihoods’ on April 16, 2025, at the Chebara Agricultural Training Center.
The outstanding event was presided over by Cabinet Secretary Dr. Deborah Barasa, who was accompanied by Principal Secretary Dr. Eng. Festus Ng’eno, the Deputy Ambassador of Italy to Kenya, Lorenza Maria Gambacorta, the governors of EMC and W/Pokot Counties, head of the AICS, Ms. Valerie Buoninfante and the CEO NETFUND, Mr. Samson Toniok. Their presence, alongside other distinguished guests, underscored the National and International commitment to restoring the Cherangany Forest and uplifting the lives of communities that depend on it.
In her address, CS, Dr.Deborah Barasa emphasized the government’s unwavering commitment to environmental conservation as a pillar of sustainable development. She highlighted the critical role that forest ecosystems like Cherangany play in combating climate change, preserving biodiversity, and securing water towers for present and future generations. “This initiative is not just about trees—it’s about people, prosperity, and the planet,” she remarked, urging local communities, partners, and all stakeholders to take collective ownership of the restoration journey. She reaffirmed that the government would continue to invest in nature-based solutions that create green jobs, improve livelihoods, and build climate resilience across the country.
The three-year project, funded by the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS), adopts a multi-faceted approach to forest restoration and sustainable management—turning vision into action. It focuses on rehabilitating degraded areas through tree planting and natural regeneration, while empowering Community Forest Associations (CFAs) through training and resource support. To enhance local livelihoods, the project promotes sustainable income-generating activities such as beekeeping, eco-tourism, and agroforestry.
As the event concluded, the joy of all involved was palpable, particularly for NETFUND, the executing agency, which has played a pivotal role in driving the project forward. Their commitment to working closely with the respective counties of Elgeyo Marakwet and West Pokot has been instrumental in ensuring local communities are engaged, empowered, and directly benefit from the project’s initiatives. Through this collaborative effort, the vision of a restored Cherangany Forest, resilient to climate change and enriched with sustainable livelihoods, is becoming a reality.
NETFUND ADMIN