Elgeyo Marakwet governor Alex Tolgos speaks during a stakeholders meeting on Water Towers Protection Programme in Eldoret on January 10, 2018. [Photo: Facebook/ Governor Jackson Mandago]
Governors from counties that lie within Mt Elgon and Cherangany Hills and its ecosystems have pledged to fully support a program that aims at conserving the two Water towers.
The governors led by Uasin Gishu's Jackson Mandago, Alex Tolgos (Elgeyo Marakwet) and Vihiga's Wilber Otichilo have however called for communities living around the Water towers to be allowed to make use of the forests in the ecosystems.
Speaking in Eldoret town during a stakeholders meeting on the progress of the programme's implementation, the governors reiterated that communities were a key element if the initiative has to succeed.
"We need to allow people to live in the forests and but allow them to do so in a way that will enable them to coexist, save water catchment areas and save the forests for future generations," noted Governor Otichilo.
"As we seek to conserve the environment and reclaim the forest, we are asking for a win-win situation for all. As a county we are committed to ensuring what needs to be done will be given necessary attention that it deserves," added Kisumu deputy governor Mathews Owili.
The Water Towers Protection and Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Programme which is being funded by the European Union at an estimated Sh3.6 billion seek to support the country to eradicate poverty through enhancing the productivity of ecosystem services of critical ecosystems and enhance resilience to climate change of her water sources.
The Programme covers Mt Elgon and Cherangany Hills and its ecosystems with Bungoma, Busia, Elgeyo Marakwet, Kakamega, Kisumu, Nandi, Siaya, Trans Nzoia, Uasin Gishu, Vihiga and West Pokot counties set to benefit from it.