PS Treasury Chris Kiptoo Commends Launch of Mau Forest Conservation Initiative

The Principal Secretary for the National Treasury and Economic Planning, Dr. Chris Kiptoo, has lauded the Government’s renewed efforts to restore and conserve the Mau Forest Complex, describing it as a cornerstone of Kenya’s environmental and economic resilience.

Speaking during a tree planting exercise graced by H.E. President Dr. William Samoei Ruto at the Gacharage Forest Block in the Mau Forest Complex, Dr. Kiptoo emphasized the critical role of the Mau ecosystem as one of Kenya’s most vital water towers, supporting livelihoods, agriculture, and biodiversity across the country and the wider region.

During the event, the Government officially launched the Mau Forest Complex Integrated Conservation and Livelihood Improvement Programme (MFC ICLIP)—a ten-year initiative aimed at restoring 33,000 hectares of degraded forest land. The programme is being implemented under the patronage of Dr. Eng. Festus Ng’eno, Principal Secretary for Environment and Climate Change.

Dr. Kiptoo noted that the MFC ICLIP mirrors the success of the Kaptagat Integrated Conservation Programme (KICP), which recently marked its ninth anniversary. He highlighted how the Kaptagat model has effectively restored the Kaptagat Forest ecosystem through robust community partnerships and sustainable livelihood initiatives.

“The integrated conservation approach adopted in Kaptagat has proven transformative. It demonstrates that environmental restoration and community empowerment can go hand in hand,” said Dr. Kiptoo. “I am delighted that the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, and Forestry is scaling up this model nationwide.”

He further reiterated the Treasury’s commitment to supporting green growth and sustainable financing mechanisms to enable the realization of H.E. the President’s ambitious target of planting 15 billion trees by 2032.

“Our forests are natural capital—critical to water security, energy generation, food production, and climate resilience. Investing in their restoration is investing in Kenya’s future prosperity,” Dr. Kiptoo added.

The Mau Forest Complex remains Kenya’s largest indigenous montane forest and a crucial source of major rivers that feed Lake Victoria, Lake Nakuru, and the Maasai Mara ecosystem. The Government’s integrated conservation efforts aim not only to rehabilitate degraded land but also to uplift local communities through livelihood improvement initiatives aligned with sustainable forest management.