The National Environment Trust Fund

🇰🇪 Happy Madaraka Day!

From the Board of Trustees, Management, and Staff of NETFUND!

As we celebrate the spirit of self-governance, resilience, and national progress, we reaffirm our commitment to building a greener, healthier, and more sustainable Kenya for present and future generations.

This Madaraka Day, let us embrace our collective responsibility to protect the environment, restore degraded landscapes, and champion sustainable development as we work together towards a prosperous and climate-resilient nation.

Happy Madaraka Day!

𝐍𝐄𝐓𝐅𝐔𝐍𝐃 𝐂𝐄𝐎 𝐉𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐬 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐚𝐭 𝐌𝐅𝐂-𝐈𝐂𝐋𝐈𝐏 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐜𝐞 𝐌𝐨𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐳𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐃𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐨 𝐀𝐝𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐌𝐚𝐮 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧

NETFUND Chief Executive Officer, Samson Toniok, today joined key stakeholders at the Mau Forest Complex Integrated Conservation and Livelihood Improvement Programme (MFC-ICLIP) Resource Mobilization Dinner held in Nairobi, reaffirming NETFUND’s commitment to ecosystem restoration, climate resilience, and sustainable livelihoods.

Hosted by the Principal Secretary for Environment and Climate Change, Dr. Eng. Festus Ng’eno, the fundraising dinner brought together partners from government, the private sector, development agencies, and civil society to mobilize resources for the 2nd Edition of MFC-ICLIP.
The event highlighted the programme’s impressive achievements within just 10 months, including the restoration of over 1,500 hectares of degraded forest land, the planting of 1.5 million tree seedlings, and the empowerment of more than 4,000 households through the TELIS programme.

As a key partner in environmental conservation and restoration initiatives, NETFUND continues to support collaborative efforts aimed at safeguarding the Mau Forest Complex Kenya’s largest water tower and a critical ecosystem for biodiversity conservation, water security, climate adaptation, and sustainable development.
The dinner was presided over by KCB Group CEO, Mr. Paul Russo, and underscored the importance of partnerships in accelerating landscape restoration and transforming livelihoods across the Mau ecosystem.

Happy Eid-Ul-Adha!

NETFUND today joined stakeholders, partners, and local communities at the Cherangany Hills Peace and Conservation Race held at Tebe Grounds, Kapyego Ward, Elgeyo-Marakwet County, in support of environmental conservation and ecosystem restoration efforts in the Cherangany landscape.

The event marks the start of activities leading to the official launch of the Cherangany Hills Ecosystem Restoration for Livelihood Improvement, Sustainability and Harmony (CHERISH) Programme, which will be presided over tomorrow by the Deputy President, H.E. Prof. Kithure Kindiki.

The launch coincides with the commemoration of the International Day for Biodiversity 2026 under the theme “Harmony with Nature and Sustainable Development.”

The CHERISH Programme is a long-term ecosystem restoration initiative spearheaded by the OKM Foundation in partnership with stakeholders and communities across Elgeyo Marakwet, West Pokot, Trans Nzoia, and Uasin Gishu counties.

Today’s event was graced by Mama Dr. Ida Odinga, Kenya’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to UNEP, as the Chief Guest.

NETFUND is proud to support the official launch of the Cherangany Hills Ecosystem Restoration for Livelihood Improvement, Sustainability & Harmony (CHERISH) Programme , a transformative initiative aimed at restoring degraded ecosystems, conserving biodiversity, enhancing water catchments, and improving livelihoods for communities within the Cherangany landscape.

As we commemorate the International Day for Biodiversity 2026, this programme reaffirms our collective commitment to climate action, sustainable environmental management, and a greener, more resilient future for generations to come.

Implemented in partnership with key stakeholders, the programme will benefit communities across West Pokot, Uasin Gishu, Elgeyo Marakwet, and Trans Nzoia counties through ecosystem restoration and sustainable livelihood interventions.

📍 Tebe Grounds, Kapyego Ward, Elgeyo Marakwet County
📅 Friday, 22nd May 2026

NETFUND held the inaugural Project Steering Committee (PSC) meeting for the Cherangany Forest Ecosystem Restoration and Sustainable Management Project today in Nairobi, bringing together key partners to strengthen coordinated action on ecosystem restoration and climate resilience.

The meeting was co-chaired by Environment and Climate Change Principal Secretary, Dr.Eng. Festus Ng’eno, and Dr. Marco Scoppa, Deputy Head of Mission at the Embassy of Italy in Kenya, reflecting the strong Kenya–Italy partnership driving the initiative.

The three-year project, coordinated by National Environment Trust Fund (NETFUND) and funded by the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS), aims to restore and rehabilitate the Cherangany Forest Ecosystem while improving climate resilience and enhancing livelihoods in West Pokot and Elgeyo-Marakwet counties.

In his remarks, Dr. Ng’eno highlighted the critical importance of the Cherangany Forest Ecosystem as one of Kenya’s major water towers, supporting biodiversity conservation, water security, climate regulation, agriculture, and millions of livelihoods. He noted that the ecosystem continues to face significant pressures, including deforestation, encroachment, unsustainable land use practices, charcoal production, and the impacts of climate change.

He emphasized that the scale of restoration required calls for strong partnerships, coordinated implementation, and sustained stakeholder engagement.

The PSC meeting reviewed the first-year implementation progress, adopted the Project Steering Committee Terms of Reference, and considered the second-year workplan and budget for approval.

Key stakeholders in attendance included representatives from Kenya Forestry Research Institute (KEFRI), National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), the Embassy of Italy, Kenya Forest Service (KFS) among others.

Also present were Dr. Jane Njuguna (KEFRI CEO), Hon. Jason Lagat (CECM, Elgeyo-Marakwet County), Fabio Minniti (Head of Regional Office, AICS), Ms. Mary Njogu (CEO, National Environmental Complaints Committee (NECC)), and Mr. Dario Cipolla (Environment and Agriculture Coordinator AICS)

This milestone PSC meeting reinforces the shared commitment to restoring the Cherangany Forest Ecosystem for a more resilient environment and improved community livelihoods.

Planting a tree is more than an act of conservation, it is a commitment to our future, our communities, and generations yet to come.

Kenya is taking bold steps to restore and protect its wetlands-critical ecosystems that support biodiversity, water security, livelihoods, and climate resilience.

At the validation and finalization workshop for the Kenya Integrated Wetlands Ecosystem Restoration and Climate Resilience Programme (K-IWERCP) held in Naivasha, stakeholders came together to strengthen a national framework for wetland restoration and sustainable management.

Speaking during the workshop, Principal Secretary for Environment and Climate Change Dr. Eng. Festus K. Ng’eno emphasized the urgent need to restore degraded wetlands affected by encroachment, pollution, unsustainable land use, and climate change.

Wetland ecosystems including Yala, Nyando, Ondiri, Lake Ol’ Bolossat, and the Tana Delta continue to face increasing pressure, threatening their role in flood regulation, water purification, biodiversity conservation, and community livelihoods.

NETFUND participated in the engagement alongside key sector institutions and technical partners, reaffirming its commitment to supporting ecosystem restoration, climate adaptation, and sustainable environmental management initiatives across Kenya.

The K-IWERCP programme is expected to strengthen coordination, mobilize investment for restoration, and enhance resilience for communities vulnerable to floods and droughts.

Together, we can restore our wetlands and secure a more resilient future for generations to come.

The Management and Staff of NETFUND wish all mothers a Happy Mother’s Day.

Thank you for being the backbone of our families and society. We celebrate and appreciate your unwavering love, strength, sacrifice, and care.

May you continue to be blessed with joy, peace, good health, and the love you so freely give to others every day.

The Participatory Forest Management Plans (PFMP) were successfully launched at Kinangop Forest Station, Mutarakwa Sub-county, Nyandarua County, covering Gete, North Kinangop and South Kinangop Forest Stations.

The event was graced by Chief Guest Madam Beatrice Mbula, Deputy Chief Conservator of Forests (Natural Forest Conservation), alongside Mr. Daniel Mkung, County Conservator of Forests.

The launch also marked the signing of Forest Management Agreements between KFS and CFAs, with participation from NETFUND and other stakeholders.

This milestone strengthens collaboration in sustainable forest management and community livelihoods.