Britam Foundation to Plant 200,000 Trees in Mt. Elgon Restoration Plan
Britam Foundation to Plant 200,000 Trees in Mt. Elgon Restoration Plan
Restoring a Vital Water Tower
Britam Foundation https://www.britam.com/about-us/britam-foundation has entered a five-year partnership with the Jumbo Charge Trust to finance a large-scale reforestation project in the Mt. Elgon Water Tower.
The first phase will see 200,000 trees planted across 444 hectares of degraded forest land. The goal is to strengthen climate resilience and support local communities.
This project supports Kenya’s National Tree Growing and Restoration Strategy and the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration. It also anchors Britam Foundation’s Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) strategy, which focuses on sustainable, community-driven conservation efforts.
“Restoring Mt. Elgon is not just about trees. It is an investment in the long-term health of the environment, climate resilience, and community well-being,” said Catherine Karita, Director, Britam Foundation. She added that healthier forests will improve water patterns, enabling farmers to cultivate their land more successfully.
Britam Foundation to Plant 200,000 Trees in Mt. Elgon Restoration Plan
Empowering Communities Through Conservation
The approach centers on community empowerment. Local residents will benefit from employment opportunities and income from supplying seeds. Beyond planting, Britam Foundation will provide financial literacy and conservation education programs.
“This partnership with Britam Foundation is critical for Mt. Elgon’s people,” said Charles Mulupi, Chairman, Jumbo Charge. “Our first goal is to plant 200,000 trees in a forest that has less than 5% cover. But our impact goes beyond trees—we buy seedlings directly from local people and support livelihoods through beekeeping and ecotourism.”
The project also aligns with global trends where corporates retain ownership of environmental benefits, including carbon rights. Jumbo Charge will manage the implementation, working with the Kenya Forest Service to ensure quality seedlings and high survival rates.
Long-Term Stewardship and Expansion
Community Forest Associations, youth groups, and schools will be central to the restoration efforts. Their involvement will create a culture of ownership and long-term stewardship of restored areas.
The initial focus will be on Cheptais, Kaberwa, Kiptogot, and Kitale Township forest blocks, with future expansion planned.
Both organizations will set up a joint framework to track progress and measure impact. This initiative also contributes to Britam’s pledge to plant 60 million trees across Africa by 2030, as the company celebrates its 60th anniversary.
