By Erestinah Jane, July 10, 2026
Head of Public Service Felix Koskei on Friday led a tree planting exercise during the 10th Edition of the Kaptagat Integrated Conservation Programme (KICP) at the Sabor and Penon forests in Keiyo South Constituency, Elgeyo Marakwet County, as the government stepped up efforts to achieve its ambitious target of planting 15 billion trees by 2032.
The annual conservation initiative brought together national and county government officials, environmental stakeholders, community members and development partners in a renewed commitment to restoring degraded forests and strengthening climate resilience.
Speaking during the event, Koskei said the Kaptagat Integrated Conservation Programme continues to demonstrate that environmental conservation can go hand in hand with economic empowerment by promoting sustainable livelihoods for communities living around forest ecosystems.
He noted that the programme has become a model for integrated conservation by combining forest restoration, protection of critical water catchment areas, climate change mitigation and community participation.
“KICP combines forest restoration with water catchment protection, climate action and sustainable livelihoods, demonstrating that conservation and community prosperity go hand in hand,” Koskei said.
He emphasized that the government’s nationwide tree-growing campaign is a key pillar in addressing the effects of climate change, reversing deforestation and securing water resources for future generations.
The Head of Public Service also urged Kenyans to actively participate in tree planting and nurturing exercises, noting that achieving the national target of growing 15 billion trees by 2032 will require collective action from government agencies, private institutions, communities and individual citizens.
The Kaptagat Integrated Conservation Programme has played a significant role in rehabilitating the Kaptagat forest ecosystem, one of Kenya’s most important water towers, while supporting local communities through sustainable environmental initiatives and alternative livelihood programmes.
The government has continued to intensify tree-growing campaigns across the country as part of its broader environmental agenda aimed at increasing national forest cover, restoring degraded landscapes and enhancing Kenya’s resilience to the impacts of climate change.
