Forest fencing project in Kaptagat encounters local opposition, leading KFS to implement benchmarking measures.

In the heart of Kenya's Elgeyo Marakwet County lies the Kaptagat forest, a crucial part of the Cherangany and Elgeyo Hills ecosystem, and a vital watershed area for several major towns and communities across North Rift, Western, and Nyanza regions. The Ministry of Environment and Forestry, through Forestry Secretary George Tarus, has taken the lead in rehabilitating and empowering the community surrounding the forest.

The Kaptagat Forest Integrated Conservation Programme, spearheaded by Treasury PS Dr. Chris Kiptoo since July 2025, aims to ease the pressure exerted on the forest for livelihood sustenance. Tarus mentioned that the programme will ensure each of the targeted households has at least an acre of fodder to feed livestock and an acre of cash crop through an agroforestry system that also provides biogas use.

The community, initially skeptical about the planned fencing of Kaptagat forest, had concerns about losing their user rights. However, the Kenya Forest Service (KFS) has assured them that they will still enjoy their user rights, and jobs will be created through fencing. KFS Coordinator for Community Forest Association (CFAs), Joselyne Ndambu, stated that the country has 235 CFAs, most of which are benefiting from forest resources in a better way because of controlled access.

Over 200 community members from areas bordering Kaptagat forest went on a two-week tour of Mt Kenya fenced forests and model farms as part of a series of benchmarking missions by the KFS to educate the local community on conservation and sustainable livelihood practices. The tour was an "eye opener" for the community, whose economic lifeline had been pegged in the forest, which was diminishing due to unchecked human activities.

Locals expressed optimism over the programme, terming it a sure bet in restoring the degraded forest and improving their livelihoods through the introduction of cash crop and dairy farming. For instance, Ms Salina Cheruto, a CFA member, who embraced avocado farming, now earns over Sh30,000 per month from the sale of the fruits and applauded the program for restoring the forest and improving livelihoods.

The benchmarking exercise was aimed at helping the community learn how to conserve the environment and have sustainable livelihoods from the forests. Kaptagat forest CFA Chairman Vincent Chelimo observed that fencing can protect water catchments and create conditions for natural regeneration. He also noted that the surrounding households have diversified into coffee, tea, macadamia, and pyrethrum farming.

The KFS has been instrumental in the monitoring and conservation of the Kaptagat Forest. In July 2025, President William Ruto rallied the community to support forest fencing while opening the Etio dam in Elgeyo Marakwet county, saying the initiative was aimed at strengthening conservation of the key water tower.

More than 28,000 households adjacent to the forest will benefit from the program. The community's skepticism about the planned fencing of Kaptagat forest has been allayed, as they now see the potential for a greener, more sustainable future for their community and their livelihoods.

Chelimo also mentioned that fencing can protect water catchments and create conditions for natural regeneration. He added that CFAs can be economically empowered through established ecotourism facilities. Many CFAs, like those in Ngong Forest, are running successful projects within the forest, and fencing was a major boost as it helped control access and enhanced security for projects undertaken by CFAs.

The Kaptagat landscape is part of the Cherangany and Elgeyo Hills ecosystem, which is among the five water towers in the country and is a critical watershed area providing to major towns and communities in North Rift, Western, and Nyanza regions. The Kaptagat forest block is located in Elgeyo Marakwet County, Kenya. The KFS, through the Kaptagat Forest Integrated Conservation Programme, is working tirelessly to ensure the preservation of this vital ecosystem for future generations.