Nakuru Reaps Economic, Environmental Gains From Mau Restoration Programme

By Suleiman Mbatiah

Renewed conservation efforts in the Mau Forest Complex are delivering measurable impact in Nakuru County, restoring degraded land, enhancing biodiversity, and providing sustainable income alternatives for local communities.

The gains are anchored in the Mau Forest Complex Integrated Conservation and Livelihood Improvement Programme, a national initiative combining ecological restoration with community-based economic support to reduce pressure on fragile forest ecosystems.

Officials say more than 1,200 hectares of degraded forest have been rehabilitated, alongside the planting of over one million tree seedlings, marking significant progress in restoring one of Kenya’s critical water towers.

“This initiative continues to prove, in very practical terms, that conservation and community progress can move forward together,” said Governor Susan Kihika, in a speech read on her behalf by Deputy Governor David Kones during the marathon launch event in Nakuru.

Through targeted livelihood programmes, households are receiving dairy support, certified seeds, and training in high-value crops such as avocado, coffee, and pyrethrum, alongside expanded opportunities in beekeeping enterprises.

The interventions are helping diversify incomes while reducing reliance on forest resources, with authorities noting that sustainable agriculture and enterprise development are central to long-term conservation success across affected communities.

Additional measures including tree nursery development, agroforestry expansion, and improved land management practices are strengthening resilience, with increased participation from youth and women in emerging green economy opportunities.

At county level, Nakuru County has complemented national efforts through a broad greening programme that has seen millions of trees planted across farms, schools, public spaces, and riparian corridors.

“We have planted millions of trees across schools, farms, public spaces, and riparian areas, while strengthening community ownership of restoration efforts,” Kihika said, outlining the county’s role in scaling conservation outcomes.

The county government has also prioritised partnerships with national agencies and development organisations to expand climate-smart agriculture, environmental education, and policy frameworks aimed at sustaining conservation gains over time.

Attention is now shifting to the second edition of the Mau Conservation Marathon scheduled for July 3, which organisers say will mobilise public participation and position Nakuru as a growing hub for conservation-driven tourism.

The inaugural marathon attracted more than 1,000 participants, demonstrating strong public engagement and reinforcing its role as a platform linking sport, environmental awareness, and community action.

“The Mau Conservation Marathon is a powerful and unifying platform that brings together sport, environmental awareness, and community engagement in a way that is both inspiring and impactful,” Kihika said.

Stakeholders have emphasised the need for sustained collaboration, noting that continued investment and community participation will be critical in securing the long-term health of the Mau Forest Complex and its dependent ecosystems.