This archive report was first published on 28 June 2020.
On June 28, 2020, Environment CS Keriako Tobiko announced the gazettment of Kaptagat forest ecosystem as a water tower, a move that sparked a wave of conservation efforts in the region.
Fast forward to today, marathon world record holder Eliud Kipchoge has taken it upon himself to adopt 50 hectares of forest land in Kaptagat to conserve the water catchment area.
According to Kipchoge, the adopted land will be purely for planting indigenous trees as a way of restoring the forest to its original cover.
"Restoring this forest and handing it over to our children and grandchildren when it’s intact is the best gift we can give them. I will finish this race with you," he said.
"The speed at which we chase after awards in championships, ought to be the same when we are looking at preventing forest loss," Kipchoge added.
"We must protect that which provides us with clean air, clean water and is a perfect training ground for our athletes," he emphasized.
Speaking during the fourth edition of the Kaptagat forest tree planting exercise in Elgeyo Marakwet County, Tobiko said, "In two weeks, we will officially lift the gazettment of Kaptagat as a forest and elevate it to a water tower."
