KVDA tree planting campaign to boost food security in semi-arid areas

The government, through the Kerio Valley Development Authority (KVDA), has launched a comprehensive tree-planting campaign in Kerio Valley and the surrounding semi-arid areas.

This ambitious program aims to rehabilitate degraded water towers and catchment areas, increase forest cover, and promote food security through agroforestry.

KVDA Managing Director Sammy Naporos emphasized the urgency of these restoration efforts during a tree seedling distribution event at Chepkorinisyo Secondary School in West Pokot County.

“This program will help mitigate the devastating effects of drought and climate change while also improving livelihoods through agroforestry and woodlot farming,” he stated.

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KVDA currently has over 1.6 million tree seedlings available, which includes 180,000 fruit tree seedlings—such as avocados, citrus fruits, and grafted mangoes—distributed to schools and communities.

“These fruit trees are not only for environmental conservation; they also provide a source of nutrition and income. They will help our people put food on the table,” Naporos explained.

This initiative addresses rampant deforestation, illegal logging, and charcoal burning that have severely degraded the region's forests and water catchments.

“Two weeks ago, we launched a six-year restoration program in Elgeyo Marakwet in partnership with the Net Fund and the Italian government to conserve the Cherangany water system,” Naporos said. “The rivers serving the entire Kerio Valley—including Kimwar, Weiwei, Muruny, and Embobut—all originate from Cherangany. That’s why we are prioritizing this area.”

So far, KVDA has planted 20,000 tree seedlings in Baringo North and an additional 200,000 in the Soya and Kapseret constituencies.

He encouraged residents to adopt a sustainable tree-planting culture.

“For every tree cut down, we should plant two more. We must increase forest cover to meet the national target of 10 per cent and help control soil erosion.”

The program aligns with President William Ruto’s national directive to plant 15 billion trees by 2030. Naporos noted that KVDA conducts thorough vetting in schools and communities to ensure active participation and proper care for the trees.

“We’re building local capacity and educating farmers about the benefits of trees—economic, social, environmental, and even emotional,” he said.

“It’s not just about planting trees. It is about understanding and protecting them,” he added.

He underlined the importance of planting appropriate tree species in areas prone to natural disasters like landslides.

“We aim to plant trees on escarpments for the right reasons—to prevent future disasters and improve resilience.”

Wanjiku Manyatta, a representative from the Ministry of ASALs and Regional Development, echoed KVDA’s call for environmental responsibility.

“We must contribute to the national tree-planting target. These fruit trees will enhance food security and improve nutrition, especially in vulnerable communities,” she stated.

Kipkomo Sub-County Education Quality Assurance Officer Zipporah Mandela highlighted that learners and teachers will play a key role in nurturing the seedlings.

“Students will benefit from the nutritional value of these fruits while learning about environmental stewardship,” she affirmed.

Residents welcomed the initiative, expressing that it will transform both the environment and their lives.

Grace Lonyako, a local from Chepkorinisyo, praised the project: “We haven’t planted trees for years. These new trees will help us earn an income and pay school fees for our children.”

Naporos encouraged farmers to grow fruits like pawpaw, mango, and macadamia, pointing out that North Rift counties have joined forces to create an economic bloc that supports market access for produce.

“Fruit trees are especially valuable—they contribute to forest cover while empowering farmers and institutions economically,” he concluded.

As Kenya accelerates its efforts to adapt to climate change, initiatives like these provide a blueprint for integrating environmental conservation with community development.