Britam Foundation has partnered with Jumbo Charge Trust for five years to spearhead a big Mt. Elgon reforestation project, aimed at rehabilitating one of Kenya’s most important water towers.
Phase one will see 200,000 trees planted on 444 hectares of deforested land, which will contribute to building climate resilience while developing surrounding local communities.
The initiative complements Kenya’s National Tree Growing and Restoration Strategy and the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration.
It is also part of Britam Foundation’s broader Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) strategy aimed at sustainable and community-driven conservation.
Renovating Mt. Elgon is more than just planting trees. It’s investing in the future guaranteeing water supply, building climate resilience, and supporting the livelihoods of people dependent on this ecosystem,” Britam Foundation Director Catherine Karita stated. “When water patterns are predictable, farmers can grow more food and improve their livelihoods.”.
Local communities will lead the project, with employment opportunities being created in seedling production, planting, and allied activities like beekeeping and ecotourism.
The Foundation will also provide financial literacy and conservation training to ensure that the benefits extend beyond environmental restoration.
Jumbo Charge Trust will handle on-the-ground implementation in close association with the Kenya Forest Service, to oversee everything from choosing seedlings to monitoring survival rates.
Our mission is simple to restore Mt. Elgon, now degraded to less than 5% forest cover,” said Jumbo Charge Chairman Charles Mulupi. “This water tower sustains 40 to 50 rivers supplying Lake Victoria and influencing weather patterns for millions. By involving communities, we are not only planting trees but also protecting livelihoods and a critical ecosystem.”
Carbon rights to the trees planted will be held by Britam Foundation, following a new trend among corporates to invest in green projects with tangible ESG assets.
Restoration will commence on Cheptais, Kaberwa, Kiptogot, and Kitale Township Forest blocks, before extending to other areas. Monitoring and impact assessment will be done through a shared monitoring framework.
This project is also in line with Britam’s pledge to plant 60 million trees across Africa by 2030, a goal it set against the 60th anniversary of the company.
