Save Mau Forest Initiative has been launched in a move aimed at restoring Mau Forest.
The event was held at Nessuit, in Njoro Subcounty of Nakuru County on June 16, 2026.
Speaking during the event, Director Save Mau Initiative Mr. David Warren revealed that this is an initiative that was formed some two years ago towards environment conservation.
He vowed to ensure more youth are involved in the initiative that is key to the Ogiek Community who trace their roots in the forest being hunters and gatherers.
“This is just the begining, we shall do more activities moving forward and more youth will be involved in the initiative,” he said.
According to Warren, as a youth from the area he understands the challenges brought about when natural resources such as Mau Forest are degraded.
With full blessings of Ogiek Peoples Development Program(OPDP), Warren who is an environmentalist and Climate Change Champion noted that the initiative shall bring on board various stakeholders with one agenda- to restore the Mau Ecosystem through tree planting.
The initiative shall involve tree planting in Eastern Mau as well as neighbouring schools.
Nicholas Mwenda from African Centre for Environement and Climate Action(ACECA)- one of the partners also lauded the initiative.
“We are very proud to be here as partners in moving this initiative forward as far as restoration of biodiversty is concerned,” he stated.
The environmentalist added that they will be entering into an MoU towards pulling synergies towards conservation of Mau Forest.
According to him, the initiative is timely owing to tge recent happenings where forests have been destroyed leading to climate change challenges which call for immediate mitigation.
“We are happy for this community of Ogiek for they have matters conservation at heart and that is why as ACECA we’re in support of this,” he said.
Ken
Agnes Kilili, a member of Community Forests Association also lauded the initiative by Mr. Warren.
In an interview with this writer, she pointed out that as a community they have embraced matters conservation.
On her part Nancy Cherotich- a young mother from Climate Change Committee lauded Warren for coming up with such an initiative.
She added that she will mobilize more young mothers to support the initiative as when natural resources are messed up, then the mothers suffer more.
It should be noted that the young mothers currently have tree nursery that help boost their economic status.
“As mothers we need water, we also need forest for food and medicinal herbs for our kids and that is why we will fully take part in this initiative. Forest is like a supermaket to us especially the indigenous peoples,” she said.
Sentiments echoed by Alexander Kisio- a journalist who doubles up as environmentalist.
Kisioi noted that forests mean much to the community and moreso the indigenous communities
Area Chief Douglas Muna who also graced the event, lauded Warren for the noble move.
According to the administrator, this is in line with Presidential directive on 15bilion trees by 2032.
The Chief pointed out that every Kenya has to contribute towards achieving the same.
“Conservation of riparian areas is key towards safeguarding our nature including Lake Nakuru that is affected by human activities leading to silting and displacement of people,” he said.
Meanwhile, the local administrator noted that teenage pregnancies in Nessuit are on high.
He urged the soviety to work together in addressing the same.
The Administrator also reminded locals that Uncaimed Financial Assets Authority is calling on Kenyans to trace with them any unclaimed assets.
On matters peace, he called on Kenyans to maintain peace.
“As we head to 2027, we call for peaceful campaigns. Listen to everyone who comes to sell their agenda and then make the right decision,” he said.