The Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) has launched a USD 5.5 million three-year programme for the restoration of the environment in the Kerio Valley belt, covering both Baringo and Elgeyo Marakwet counties.
The global focal point person for the Afri 100 project at FAO headquarters, Jhony Zapata, said the funds would go to the local people-led reafforestation initiatives to ensure the success of the programme, saying active participation of the local people was key to the restoration of the ecosystem.
Speaking at the Cheptebo Rural Development Centre in Keiyo South on Thursday during the launch of the programme dubbed the Africa Forest Landscape Restoration Initiative, Zapata, however, said the funds would not be given to individuals but to groups, communities, or saccos involved in initiatives aimed at restoring the environment.
Baringo Governor Benjamin Cheboi said land degradation along the Kerio Valley has not been addressed for a long time, leading to the formation of gullies and flooding of lakes in the region.
He said the restoration of Lake Kamnarok through desilting and fencing of the Rimoi game reserve from the Baringo side were some of the issues to be addressed, noting the community supported the fencing, but a few activists were hindering the process after going to court.
The governor said his government would be heading to court to seek an alternative dispute resolution to have the matter removed from court and expedite its conclusion to allow for the fencing of the conservancy.
“The fencing does not mean that people will not be allowed to graze, but it will be controlled just like it happens in other conservancies,” he said.
Governor Cheboi, who was flanked by his Elgeyo Marakwet counterpart, Wisley Rotich, said the fencing and restoration of the Rimoi conservancy would be of great benefit to the area, saying Lake Kamnarok was the only lake which is home to white crocodiles, thus attracting tourists.
“With the fencing of the conservancy, there will be natural regeneration of the flora and fauna, which will be beneficial to the area as it will attract tourists instead of always going to the traditional tourist attraction sites,” he said.
He therefore called on the area residents to rise and make good use of the funds to create wealth through planting fruit and indigenous trees to arrest land degradation, saying that as governments they will ensure that the funds availed are put to good use.
He said for a long time, Kerio Valley has been termed as ‘the valley of death’ but this perception is set to change given the investment put in place by FAO.
By Alice Wanjiru