Dr. Chris Kiptoo Leads Coffee Seedling Distribution in Keiyo North: Boosting Farmers’ Incomes and Environmental Sustainability

Today, in Tambach Ward, Keiyo North, Dr. Chris Kiptoo, Principal Secretary at the National Treasury and patron of the Kaptagat Integrated Conservation Programme, led a transformative event: the official distribution of over 100,000 high-value coffee seedlings to local farmers.

Supporting Farmers’ Incomes and Revitalizing Kenya’s Coffee Sector

The coffee seedlings sourced from local nurseries and the Kenya Planters Cooperative Union (KPCU) are a key strategy in revitalizing Kenya’s coffee industry, which remains a cornerstone of the agricultural economy. Coffee is one of the most lucrative cash crops for farmers in Keiyo North and beyond, contributing significantly to household incomes and job creation.

Coffee’s Importance for the Environment

Beyond economic benefits, coffee farming supports sustainable land use and environmental conservation. Coffee trees:

• Prevent soil erosion on steep slopes, enhancing landscape resilience.

• Improve soil fertility through leaf litter and organic matter, fostering healthier soils.

• Support biodiversity by providing habitat for birds, pollinators, and beneficial insects.

• Contribute to carbon sequestration, helping Kenya combat climate change and meet its 30% national tree cover goal by 2032.

Building on Previous Efforts: Kaptagat Integrated Conservation Programme

This initiative aligns with the broader Kaptagat Integrated Conservation Programme, launched in 2024 during the 8th edition of the Kaptagat Tree Growing Drive. Last year, Dr. Kiptoo and Forestry PS Mugambi Gitonga announced plans to restore 500 hectares of degraded forest within the Kaptagat ecosystem—a key step towards sustainable community development and environmental restoration.

The programme’s multi-faceted approach includes:
✅ Pesa Mfukoni — boosting household incomes through cash crops and dairy farming.
✅ Kawi Safi Nyumbani — promoting clean energy with biogas and solar lighting.
✅ Maji Nyumbani — enhancing water access through boreholes, dams, and solarized supply systems.
✅ Mazingira Safi — driving climate action via on-farm carbon projects and reforestation.

Dignitaries and Community Leaders

The event was attended by key leaders, including:

• H.E. Wisley Rotich, Governor of Elgeyo Marakwet

• Hon. William Kisang, Senator of Elgeyo Marakwet

• Hon. Adams Kipsanai, MP for Keiyo North

• Hon. Dominic Chesire, MCA

• Hon. Julius Migos Ogamba, Cabinet Secretary for Education

• Mr. Gitonga Mugambi, Principal Secretary for Forestry

With leadership from Dr. Chris Kiptoo and support from multiple stakeholders, the Kaptagat Programme is transforming livelihoods and landscapes seedling at a time. As Kenya works towards a greener, more sustainable future, initiatives like this demonstrate that economic growth and environmental stewardship can go hand in hand.