Environment Cabinet Secretary Dr. Deborah Barasa is set to launch a major conservation initiative tomorrow (Monday) aimed at restoring and protecting the Lake Naivasha Basin ecosystem.
The project, which will run for three years, is funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF-7) through WWF-US, with a budget of $1.8 million (approximately KSh 240 million). Its main goal is to tackle growing environmental challenges in the region by promoting sustainable land use, restoring degraded forest areas, and protecting biodiversity.
Lake Naivasha Basin is one of Kenya’s most important natural resources. Located in the Eastern Rift Valley and covering about 3,400 square kilometres, it provides water, food, and income for thousands of people through farming, tourism, and fishing.
The project will focus largely on the upper catchment areas, which supply nearly 80% of the water flowing into Lake Naivasha. These zones are crucial for maintaining the health of the freshwater lake and the ecosystems that depend on it.
However, the basin is under pressure from multiple threats. Land degradation, deforestation, pollution, and climate change are taking a toll on its natural resources, putting both people and wildlife at risk.
Through an integrated approach to landscape management, the new initiative aims to restore balance in the basin, safeguard water sources, and ensure long-term benefits for the environment and local communities alike.
