Kenya committed to protection and conservation of Mara River Basin, CS Mugaa

Some of the efforts include implementing the Mau Forest Restoration Programme, the CS said.

by ANGWENYI GICHANA

Nyanza17 September 2025 - 07:00

In Summary

CS Mugaa noted that reclaimed land is regenerating, forest blocks are showing signs of recovery, and in Bomet County, rising water levels in the Nyangores River have been linked directly to restoration of the Mau.
Askul noted that despite good progress is being made to address tree felling, encroachment by human settlement, unsustainable agriculture practices, abstraction of water and pollution, the need for sustained focus to attain a balance between human development and environmental sustainability remains.

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Kenya is committed to implementing the 2015 Memorandum of Understanding on the protection and conservation of the Mara River Basin, which is faced with significant challenges from human activities, Water Cabinet Secretary Eric Mugaa has said.

Some of the efforts include implementing the Mau Forest Restoration Programme.

The CS spoke at Mwenge Grounds in Butiama District, Tanzania, during celebrations to mark the 14^th Mara Day. He led the Kenyan delegation during the celebrations.

“These strategies include reclaiming encroached land through the removal of illegal settlements, reforestation with indigenous trees, and the protection of wetlands and riparian zones,” said the CS.

The CS further noted that in the Maasai Mau, over 21,600 hectares of forest land have been reclaimed through two phases of restoration.

“Large-scale initiatives such as the 15-billion Tree Programme, alongside community-led actions, have resulted in the planting of more than 26 million indigenous seedlings, supported by nurseries with the capacity to produce 4.8 million seedlings annually,” remarked the CS.

The CS was accompanied by his East African Community counterpart, Beatrice Askul, and Lake Victoria Basin Commission Executive (LVBC) Secretary Masinde Bwire.

Tanzania’s Mara Regional Commissioner, Evans Mtambi, was the chief guest. LVBC coordinates the celebrations.

Bwire called on the two partner states to implement recommendations of a scientific conference that was held at Mwalimu Julius Nyerere University of Science and Technology.

CS Mugaa noted that reclaimed land is regenerating, forest blocks are showing signs of recovery, and in Bomet County, rising water levels in the Nyangores River have been linked directly to restoration of the Mau.

He further noted that Kenya has also invested in sewerage systems to reduce wastewater pollution in the Mara catchment.

The Narok Town Sewerage Project introduced a modern sewer network and a treatment plant with a capacity of over 3,500 cubic metres per day, helping to prevent raw sewage from entering the Enkare Narok River.

“In Bomet, the existing sewerage system is protecting the Nyangores River. A larger system is being planned to expand coverage and improve treatment capacity within the town. These efforts are made to reduce the pollution of the river,” he added.

Askul noted that despite good progress being made to address tree felling, encroachment by human settlement, unsustainable agriculture practices, abstraction of water and pollution, the need for sustained focus to attain a balance between human development and environmental sustainability remains.

“Despite these successes, we are cognizant of the fact that as a transboundary ecosystem, the Mara-Serengeti ecosystem and Lake Victoria Basin in general have to constantly realign itself with the dynamism of developmental and environmental challenges that require the concerted efforts of all stakeholders,” she added.