Environmental activists are calling for concerted efforts to protect and conserve water catchment areas in Kenya ahead of the International Day of Forests to be marked on March 21.

Led by Mazingira Sustainability Village – non-governmental organisation – the stakeholders launched a robust campaign to bring together different groups to support conservation and reforestation of the Aberdare Forest – one of the country’s largest water towers.

Mazingira Sustainability Village is targeting local communities that live near the forest and along major rivers as key partners in raising awareness on environmental conservation. The organisation’s Chairman Gachau Njoroge said the campaign is aimed at restoring water towers to ensure adequate supply of water as demand rises.

Speaking in Murang’a County headquarters during the flagging off of the Ndakaini Source Trek, Njoroge said proper environmental conservation would ensure adequate waterflow in rivers for both domestic use and irrigation.

He said the walk will cover Murang’a, Kiambu and Nairobi counties, which largely depend on the Aberdare water tower.

“We aim to create awareness among communities and individuals so that they understand that environmental conservation is their personal responsibility,” he said. “In Murang’a we have Ndakaini Dam that serves residents of four counties, and its source is the Aberdare Forest. That is why we are focusing on it.”

Murang’a County Forest Conservator Eunice Njoroge said the county has made significant strides in increasing forest cover, which currently stands at 27 per cent.

“We are targeting to reach 35 per cent forest cover by 2030, but this will require concerted efforts from the community and other stakeholders,” she said.

Njoroge noted that poor farming practices along riverbanks and planting the wrong tree species have contributed to the drying up of some rivers.

“We are encouraging all those planting trees to consult with our offices so that they can plant the right species suitable for the ecosystem,” she said, and called upon Kenyans to take advantage of the ongoing rains to plant trees.

Murang’a Deputy Governor Stephen Munania underscored the need to involve local communities in conservation efforts as key stakeholders.

“If we empower farmers to take part in conservation, we will ensure sustainability by encouraging them to plant trees that are both economically beneficial and environmentally friendly,” he said.

Managing Director of Murang’a Water and Sanitation Company, Eng Daniel Ng’ang’a, said environmental conservation through tree planting will help reduce siltation in dams.

“We are working closely with communities to conserve the environment and reduce siltation in dams,” he said.

Chief Executive Officer of Water Service Providers Association (WASPA) Anthony Njaramba noted that water resources in the country are becoming increasingly scarce, calling for prudent measures to manage them. Mr Njaramba said environmental conservation is one of the key interventions needed to ensure water towers do not dry up.

“There is a possibility that after 2035 the amount of water accessible for use will be scarce, and this should be a wake-up call for all of us to take urgent measures to avert a crisis,” he explained.

Njaramba noted that the association is supporting conservation efforts in all water catchment areas because everyone needs this resource not only for now but also for future generations.

International Day of Forests is marked every year on March 21, 2026. This year, Murang’a County will mark the day with a tree planting exercise on March 20.

• A Tell Media / KNA report / By Purity Mugo