Leaders Rally for Biodiversity Conservation as Kenya Launches CHERISH Programme in Elgeyo Marakwet
By Presley Akbar
KAPYEGO, ELGEYO MARAKWET COUNTY — Kenya joined the global community in marking the International Day for Biological Diversity with a landmark event in Kapyego, Elgeyo Marakwet County. The gathering brought together government leaders, environmental agencies, development partners, and local communities around a shared and urgent mission: championing biodiversity conservation and restoring the ecosystems that millions of lives depend on.
Held under the 2026 global theme “Acting Locally for Global Impact,” the event also served as the official launch of the Cherangany Hills Ecosystem Restoration for Livelihood Improvement, Sustainability and Harmony (CHERISH) programme — an ambitious initiative designed to rehabilitate degraded ecosystems while meaningfully improving the livelihoods of communities living within the Cherangany landscape.
The celebrations drew an impressive roster of senior government officials, including Deputy President Prof. Kithure Kindiki, Cabinet Secretary for Interior and National Administration Kipchumba Murkomen, and Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Forestry Dr. Deborah Barasa, alongside governors, principal secretaries, members of parliament, conservation partners, and community representatives.
The National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) was represented by Chairman Emilio Mugo and Director General Dr. Mamo B. Mamo, EBS, both of whom joined other leaders in driving home a clear message: protecting biodiversity is not optional — it is the very foundation of sustainable development.
Local Action, Global Impact
Speaking at the event, Dr. Mamo made a compelling case for why every individual, institution, and government has a role to play in addressing environmental challenges. He pointed to the day’s theme as more than just a slogan.
“Acting locally for global impact is a reminder that the things we do every day — restoring degraded landscapes, protecting water catchments, planting trees, keeping our environments clean — add up,” he said. “Collectively, they contribute to something far greater than any one of us can achieve alone.”
Dr. Mamo was also careful to broaden the conversation beyond the more visible symbols of conservation. Biodiversity, he noted, is not just about wildlife and forests. It encompasses entire ecosystems that provide food, water, medicine, climate regulation, and a host of other services that underpin human well-being and economic growth. And protecting those ecosystems, he stressed, goes well beyond planting trees — it means nurturing them, protecting indigenous species, safeguarding water sources, and committing to long-term ecosystem restoration.
NEMA Chairman Emilio Mugo echoed that call, urging stronger collaboration among all stakeholders to accelerate conservation efforts and promote sustainable management of the country’s natural resources.
The CHERISH Programme: Restoring a Vital Landscape
The highlight of the day was undoubtedly the launch of the CHERISH programme. The initiative is squarely focused on restoring the Cherangany Hills ecosystem — one of Kenya’s most ecologically significant landscapes and a critical component of the country’s water tower systems.
The Cherangany Hills are not just beautiful — they are essential. The ecosystem supports rich biodiversity, regulates water resources, and sustains the livelihoods of thousands of households across the region and beyond. Yet, like many of Kenya’s critical ecosystems, it faces mounting threats: deforestation, unsustainable land-use practices, climate change, and growing human pressure continue to chip away at its integrity.
CHERISH aims to reverse that trend by combining ecosystem restoration with community-centred livelihood support — recognising that lasting conservation only works when the people who live alongside nature have a genuine stake in protecting it.
Environmental experts at the event stressed the need for integrated approaches that balance conservation goals with the socio-economic realities of local communities. The day’s programme reflected that philosophy, featuring rich discussions on ecosystem restoration, climate resilience, sustainable resource management, and the indispensable role communities play in environmental stewardship. Demonstrations and exhibitions further showcased ongoing conservation initiatives and highlighted practical ways for the public to get involved.
Protecting What Belongs to Communities
NEMA also took the opportunity to spotlight the implementation of the Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) Regulations, 2006 — a framework that governs the conservation and sustainable use of biological resources while ensuring local communities receive a fair share of the benefits derived from indigenous genetic resources and traditional knowledge.
The authority emphasised that these regulations are not just a legal formality. They promote equity, protect biodiversity, and create the conditions for meaningful scientific research and innovation within the environmental sector.
A Renewed Call to Action
As the world continues to grapple with accelerating biodiversity loss, climate change, and environmental degradation, the voices gathered in Kapyego were united in their call for renewed commitment — from governments, communities, development partners, and the private sector alike — to protect ecosystems for the generations that will inherit them.
The International Day for Biological Diversity is observed annually on 22 May, following its designation by the United Nations, to raise awareness of biodiversity issues and inspire action toward the protection of ecosystems worldwide.
For those present in Kapyego, the message landed with quiet but unmistakable force: meaningful global environmental change starts close to home. Through initiatives like CHERISH, and through the kind of genuine, cross-sector collaboration on display that day, Kenya is taking important steps — not just toward restoring a hillside, but toward securing a sustainable future for all.
Similar Posts by The Mt Kenya Times:
- Loyalty in Hollywood: Does It Really Exist?
- Fernandes rewrites the record books as United cruise past Brighton
- Senegal’s Revolution Eats Its Own: President Faye Sacks Prime Minister Sonko as Debt Crisis Deepens
- Government scholarships are out there — you just need to know how to find them!
- Phonetic Changes in the Uzbek Language
About the Author
