The Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Forestry has designated November 7, 2025, as Mount Elgon Day. This marks a significant step toward restoring and protecting one of Kenya’s key water towers.
During a breakfast meeting, ministry officials emphasized the need for collective action to protect the Mount Elgon ecosystem. This ecosystem faces threats from deforestation and unsustainable land use. The degradation has caused declining water levels and reduced ecosystem services, which puts both livelihoods and biodiversity at risk.
Mount Elgon’s global ecological importance was acknowledged in 2023 when the UNESCO Man and the Biosphere (MAB) International Coordinating Council designated the Mount Elgon Ecosystem as a Transboundary Biosphere Reserve (TBR); it is the second of its kind in Africa. However, this status is not guaranteed and could be revoked if environmental degradation persists.
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To lead restoration efforts, the Ministry has appointed the Principal Secretary for Mining as the Patron and Champion for the Restoration of the Mount Elgon Ecosystem. This initiative aims to restore 103,000 hectares of degraded land over ten years by collaborating with stakeholders, engaging the community, and promoting sustainable livelihoods.
Key objectives include improving access to clean energy and water, creating green jobs, enhancing agricultural value chains, supporting research and innovation, and promoting conservation education in schools and universities. The program also seeks to preserve culture and heritage while encouraging sports and youth talent development.
This initiative aligns with the Presidential Directive to plant 15 billion trees by 2032, the
