PS Environment Engages Nakuru Professionals in Push to Reclaim Mau Forest
By Shadrack Mutai, NAIROBI,
The Principal Secretary for Environment, Dr. Eng. Festus Ngeno, today met with a cross-section of professionals from Nakuru County in a strategic dialogue aimed at mobilising support for the government’s ongoing agenda to reclaim and restore the Mau Forest.
The consultative meeting brought together professionals drawn from diverse disciplines—academia, business, law, health, and technology—who pledged to stand behind the PS’s vision of safeguarding the Mau ecosystem.
In his address, Dr. Ngeno emphasised the urgency of reclaiming the forest, describing it as not just a regional heritage but a national lifeline whose survival directly impacts millions of Kenyans. The Mau Forest, he noted, is one of Kenya’s most critical water towers, feeding rivers that sustain agriculture, industry, and domestic use across vast parts of the country.
The PS called upon the professionals to take ownership of the initiative by using their networks, influence, and expertise to mobilise resources, mentor youth, champion innovation, and act as ambassadors of conservation within their communities.
The professionals welcomed the initiative and pledged to work hand in hand with the government. They underscored the need for inclusive participation, particularly in raising awareness among local communities, supporting livelihood alternatives, and ensuring that restoration efforts are sustainable.
The Mau reclamation programme has already elicited strong support across different sectors, with stakeholders recognising it as a noble undertaking to reverse decades of forest degradation. For many, the restoration effort is a source of renewed hope for climate resilience, biodiversity protection, and improved livelihoods.
Today’s engagement with Nakuru professionals is part of a wider mobilisation drive led by Dr. Ngeno, aimed at creating a united front to conserve Kenya’s natural resources and secure the future of the Mau Forest.
