Ministry spearheads Sh 21.5 billon Mau Forest complex integrated conservation programme
Yobesh Onwong’a-MyGov
The Ministry of Environment and Forestry has mooted plans to restore and sustainably manage the Mau Forest Complex (MFC) through an integrated conservation and livelihood improvement approach that enhances ecosystem functionality and strengthens climate resilience across the landscape.
The Patron of the Programme, who is also the Principal Secretary for State Department for Environment and Climate Change, Dr. Eng. Festus Ng’eno, said that the Ministry has initiated a 10-year Programme dubbed, “the Mau Forest Complex Integrated Conservation and Livelihood Improvement Programme (MFC ICLIP)”, with an estimated cost of Sh 21.5 billion.
These efforts are meant to address the threats and challenges facing the Mau Forest Complex, Eng. Ng’eno said that the Programme targets the Eastern, Molo, Western, and South West MFC Blocks and adjacent Farmlands covering a total area 317,115 hectares.
The PS noted that the Mau Forest Complex holds the highest economic value among Kenya’s forests, estimated at Sh 197 billion, attributed to its extensive resources and transboundary ecosystem services.
“It is a critical biodiversity hotspot, habitat to species of international conservation concern, and serves as the source of 12 major rivers - Sondu, Mara, Nyando, Yala, Ewaso Ng'iro, Molo, Njoro, Nderit, Makalia, Naishi, Mumberes, and Nzoia.”
“These rivers feed key lakes including Turkana, Baringo, Nakuru, Natron, and Victoria,” said the PS.
He disclosed that the Mau Forest Complex supports the livelihoods of surrounding communities, sustains the ecological health of the region, and supports iconic ecosystems such as the Maasai Mara and Serengeti; renowned for their rich biodiversity and tourism value.
Similarly, the MFC also plays a vital role in sustaining Lake Natron, a key breeding site for Lesser Flamingos.
The Mau Forest Complex, covering approximately 403,000 Ha, is the largest Afro-montane Forest in East Africa and Kenya’s largest and most important Water Tower.
It comprises of 22 forest blocks - 21 public forests managed by the Kenya Forest Service, and one community managed Maasai Mau block.
Eng Ng’eno said that despite its critical ecological and socioeconomic value, the Mau Forest Complex (MFC) faces severe degradation driven by human activities and climate change.
“Key threats include; illegal charcoal production, over-harvesting of wood fuel and timber, overgrazing, land use changes, forest fires, and poor farming practices.”
“Additional pressures and effects such as population growth, riparian encroachment, water pollution, and unregulated water abstraction by commercial farms and industries have further strained the ecosystem,” said the PS.
He noted that these challenges are compounded by weak legislative and institutional frameworks portending ineffective management and conservation of the ecosystem.
The PS said that the programme will restore degraded landscapes and protect the Mau Forest Complex, for enhanced ecosystem services, agricultural productivity and climate resilience.
“It will support nature-positive enterprises and agricultural value chains for improved livelihoods and promote circular economy to spur green jobs for a clean and healthy environment,” said Dr Ng’eno.
In addition, the PS said that the programme will promote environmental education and research to inform development and decision making.
“It will also strengthen policy, governance and institutional frameworks for sustainable community based natural resource management of the Mau Forest Complex,” said Eng Ng’eno.