The Government of Kenya, through the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Forestry, is investing KSh 26 billion in the Kenya Watershed Services Improvement Project (KEWASIP), a strategic initiative aimed at restoring degraded landscapes, strengthening watershed protection and improving community livelihoods.
Through the project, degraded catchments and forest ecosystems will be rehabilitated, water security enhanced and sustainable land management promoted. KEWASIP is also expected to strengthen climate resilience, support agricultural productivity, enhance ecosystem services and create livelihood opportunities by involving communities in conservation and landscape restoration. To advance these objectives, the Government is prioritizing stakeholder engagement and community participation in the project’s implementation.
It is against this backdrop that Principal Secretary for Forestry, Mr. Gitonga Mugambi, accompanied by Chief Conservator of Forests (CCF), Mr. Alex Lemarkoko, led a public engagement with members of the public and National Government Administration Officers (NGAO) at the Imenti South Deputy County Commissioner’s Office in Nkubu, Meru County.
The PS emphasized that watershed protection is fundamental to national development, noting that healthy forests and functioning ecosystems are essential for securing water supplies, supporting agricultural production and sustaining community livelihoods. He called for collective responsibility and active public participation to ensure KEWASIP delivers lasting benefits.
The CCF underscored the importance of collaboration between government agencies, local administration and communities in safeguarding forest ecosystems and sustaining restoration gains. He urged residents to actively participate in tree growing, forest conservation and the protection of restored landscapes.
The community welcomed the initiative, expressing appreciation for the Government’s investment in watershed restoration and sustainable natural resource management. Residents also reaffirmed their commitment to supporting forest conservation, tree growing and the protection of water catchments, recognizing the importance of collective action in securing environmental sustainability and livelihoods for present and future generations.
