The exercise forms part of the Integrated Conservation and Livelihood Improvement Programme, an ambitious initiative that seeks to plant more than 40 million tree seedlings over the next decade as part of efforts to rehabilitate degraded sections of the Mau Forest.
During the event, Mrs Ruto adopted 33 hectares at Marindas Station within the Mau Forest Complex, reaffirming her commitment to environmental conservation and supporting the national campaign to grow 15 billion trees by 2032.
Addressing residents and stakeholders at Baringo Primary School in Kuresoi North, the First Lady described the Mau Forest as a symbol of successful environmental restoration and called on Kenyans to remain steadfast in protecting the country’s natural resources.
“The Mau Forest itself stands as a powerful reminder of what is possible when a nation chooses restoration over destruction. Its protection required vision, courage and difficult decisions. We acknowledge leaders who have continuously championed its restoration because they understood that protecting our forests was never simply about trees; it was about securing Kenya’s future,” she said.
Mrs Ruto underscored the vital role forests play in sustaining water catchments, agriculture and livelihoods, noting that environmental conservation is ultimately about safeguarding future generations.
“Our forests are not simply collections of trees. They are living cathedrals of God’s creation, silent providers that ask for nothing yet give us everything. They bring rain to our farms, protect our rivers, purify the air we breathe, nourish our crops and sustain millions of livelihoods. Conservation is not ultimately about trees. It is about the future our children will inherit,” she said.
The First Lady said she remains committed to her personal target of growing 500 million trees while supporting the restoration of key ecosystems across the country, including the Shikusa Block in Kakamega Forest.
She also challenged households, schools and institutions to adopt clean cooking technologies, particularly biogas, to reduce dependence on firewood and charcoal.
“Every biogas unit installed protects our forests, improves our health and secures a cleaner future for generations to come. Let us make clean cooking the norm in every home, school and community,” she said.
Ambassador Ida Odinga announced that she would also adopt a section of the forest, describing the initiative as a practical example of how environmental restoration can go hand in hand with economic empowerment.
“The solutions we debate in boardrooms around the world can be realised right here in the Mau Forest Complex,” she said.
She described the Mau Forest as one of East Africa’s most important water towers, noting that rivers originating from the ecosystem flow into Lake Victoria—the main source of the River Nile—making its conservation critical to millions of people across the region.
Dr Odinga urged the government and development partners to replicate similar restoration programmes in other degraded ecosystems across the country.
A key component of the programme is a livelihood improvement model that allows local communities to cultivate food crops for up to three years while nurturing tree seedlings. More than 148,000 households in Kuresoi North, Kuresoi South, Njoro and Molo constituencies are expected to benefit through integrated value-chain initiatives aimed at enhancing food security and increasing household incomes.
Environment, Climate Change and Forestry Cabinet Secretary Deborah Barasa called on Kenyans to actively participate in the country’s forest restoration agenda.
“Restoring forests is about restoring our homes and securing the future for generations to come,” she said.
Barasa said the ministry will continue distributing tree seedlings across the country during rainy seasons and encouraged every Kenyan to plant at least 30 trees.
Forestry Principal Secretary Festus Ng’eno revealed that President William Ruto has already adopted 100 acres under the restoration programme.
According to the PS, the initiative targets the planting of four million trees annually while restoring more than 33,000 hectares of degraded forest.
“This is transformative. It is part of the promise the President made to plant 15 billion trees by 2032. Through this partnership-driven programme, we are restoring landscapes while improving livelihoods for local communities,” he said.
Gender Cabinet Secretary Hannah Cheptumo, Nakuru Deputy Governor David Kones, Kuresoi North MP Alfred Mutai, Nakuru Woman Representative Liza Chelule, Parliamentary Affairs Principal Secretary Aurelia Rono and Forestry Principal Secretary Gitonga Mugambi also attended the event.
Mutai said Kuresoi continues to benefit from key national government development programmes, while Chelule urged leaders to embrace unity and tolerance to accelerate development.
The restoration activities are centred around the Marindas area at Bararget Forest Station, part of the larger Mau Forest Complex in the Rift Valley, where government agencies and conservation partners are promoting indigenous and agroforestry tree species to restore degraded landscapes, protect water catchments and strengthen communities’ resilience to climate change.
