Mount Elgon and Upper Turkwel Basin Conservation Project
Mt. Elgon Water Tower is a crucial provider of ecosystem goods and services that benefit local, regional, national, and international communities. It plays a vital role in Kenya’s renewable energy generation as the source of River Turkwel, which feeds KenGen PLC’s Turkwel Hydroelectric Power Plant (106 MW). However, Mount Elgon is facing severe environmental challenges due to climate change and human-induced pressures. These challenges include deforestation, soil erosion, illegal logging, and changes in precipitation patterns, all of which contribute to the degradation of the forest catchment, negatively impacting the hydrological cycle and threatening the livelihoods of the communities dependent on the mountain’s resources.
Key threats include:
- Land degradation due to encroachment for settlement and farming
- Uncontrolled exploitation of endangered tree species
- Limited awareness of the importance of conservation and protection
- Climate change impacts such as increased temperatures and altered precipitation patterns
Project Description
The Mount Elgon and Upper Turkwel Basin Conservation Project aims to address these environmental challenges through a phased approach. Key activities include:
- Rehabilitation of degraded areas within the Suam forest by planting trees sourced from local community nurseries.
- Establishment of on-farm woodlots and revegetation of degraded riparian zones.
- Training and capacity building for local communities in nature-based enterprises like beekeeping and tree nursery management.
- Strengthening the governance and management of local community-led conservation groups.
This project aligns with broader conservation and sustainable development goals, contributing to the ecological and hydrological significance of Mount Elgon and Upper Turkwel Basin while improving community resilience to climate change.
Project Objectives
Main Objectives:
- Reduce deforestation and soil erosion in Mount Elgon and River Suam.
- Enhance water resource management within the catchment area.
- Improve community awareness and involvement in sustainable forest management practices.
Specific Objectives:
- Scale up conservation of the Mount Elgon forest through Afforestation, Reforestation, and Revegetation (ARR) initiatives.
- Rehabilitate the Suam River sub-basin by planting trees in riparian zones, on-farms, and on-school lands.
- Build the capacity of local communities to form strong Community Forest Associations and Water Resource Users Associations.
- Enhance local community livelihoods by promoting nature-based enterprises such as beekeeping and tree nurseries.
Expected Outcomes:
- Reforested Mount Elgon forest.
- Rehabilitated Suam River riparian land, with established on-farm and on-school woodlots.
- Strengthened capacity of the Suam Community Forest Association and Kaptega Water Resource Users Association.
- Established seven user groups engaged in nature-based and forest-related enterprises.
By restoring and rehabilitating the degraded ecosystems of Mount Elgon and the River Suam, the project ensures the sustainable use of natural resources and enhances the resilience of local communities to climate impacts. This will guarantee the sustained flow of high-quality water into KenGen PLC’s Turkwel Gorge Dam, contributing to the provision of clean and cost-effective electricity for all Kenyans. Additionally, it will support the livelihoods of local communities and reduce Kenya’s carbon footprint.
Partner With Us
The Mount Elgon and Upper Turkwel Basin Conservation Project presents an opportunity for stakeholders to contribute to a sustainable future. Through strategic partnerships and collaborative efforts, stakeholders can:
- Support environmental conservation and climate action.
- Promote community resilience and sustainable livelihoods.
- Enhance the impact and sustainability of conservation initiatives.
We invite individuals, corporations, development agencies, community groups, and all stakeholders to join us in conserving this vital forest and riparian resource. KenGen Foundation, in partnership with the Kenya Forestry Service (KFS), Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), Water Resource Authority (WRA), the Suam Community Forest Association (CFA), the Kaptega Water Resource Users Association (WRUA), and other stakeholders, proposes a collaborative effort to rehabilitate degraded forest and riparian zones.
Join us in this noble project to make a lasting impact on Kenya’s environment and communities.