Deputy President Kindiki Launches KSh15 Billion CHERISH Programme to Restore Cherangany Hills Ecosystem
The government has launched the KSh15 billion CHERISH programme to restore the Cherangany Hills ecosystem, with Deputy President Kithure Kindiki saying the 10-year initiative will promote environmental conservation, protect critical water resources and improve livelihoods across four Rift Valley counties.
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki leads the launch of the KSh15 billion CHERISH programme in Elgeyo-Marakwet, a major initiative aimed at restoring the degraded Cherangany Hills ecosystem and protecting one of Kenya’s key water towers. Photo/Courtesy
Kenya has officially launched an ambitious KSh15 billion ecosystem restoration initiative aimed at rehabilitating the degraded Cherangany Hills water tower and improving livelihoods for communities living around the region.
The Cherangany Hills Ecosystem Restoration for Livelihood Improvement, Sustainability and Harmony (CHERISH) programme was unveiled at Tebe Grounds in Kapyego Ward, Elgeyo-Marakwet County, during celebrations to mark the International Day for Biological Diversity 2026.
The event was presided over by Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, who lauded the initiative as a critical step toward environmental conservation and sustainable development.
The Cherangany Hills ecosystem, which stretches across Trans Nzoia, Elgeyo-Marakwet, West Pokot and Uasin Gishu counties, covers approximately 414,928 hectares and is regarded as one of Kenya’s key water towers. The ecosystem comprises 22 gazetted forests and serves as the source of more than 22 rivers flowing into Lake Victoria and Lake Turkana.
Officials noted that unchecked human activities, including deforestation and land degradation, have severely threatened the ecosystem over the years, contributing to environmental disasters such as the deadly Chesongoch landslide witnessed in October last year.
“To restore and conserve this vital ecosystem, we conceived a KSh15 billion, ten-year programme dubbed CHERISH,” organisers said during the launch.
The programme is expected to focus on ecosystem restoration, environmental sustainability and livelihood improvement through a community-driven approach supported by various partners and stakeholders.
“We appreciate all the partners and stakeholders who have supported us in this noble cause,” organisers added.
Several national and county leaders attended the launch, including Environment Cabinet Secretary Deborah Barasa, Governors Wisley Rotich, Jonathan Chelilim and Simon Kachapin, alongside Members of Parliament, Principal Secretaries, county leaders and representatives from conservation organisations.
The initiative is expected to run for 10 years and aims to restore ecological balance while safeguarding water resources and improving resilience among communities living within the Cherangany Hills region.
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