NIA LOWER EASTERN REGION IN PARTNERSHIP WITH KENHA AT KATHEKA KAI SUB LOCATION KWA NDEKE COMMUNITY WATER PAN

Today marked the official take-off of a weeklong tree growing initiative led by the National Irrigation Authority’s Lower Eastern Region in partnership with the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) at Katheka Kai Sub-Location, Kwa Ndeke Community Water Pan.

The activity forms part of ongoing climate action interventions aimed at strengthening environmental conservation, protecting water resources and empowering local communities through sustainable agricultural practices.

During the exercise, 52 farmers actively participated in planting 500 indigenous Acacia trees around the water pan to promote ecosystem restoration, enhance biodiversity and protect the surrounding catchment area from environmental degradation. The tree planting activity reinforced the community’s commitment to sustainable land management and long-term climate resilience.

Following the planting exercise, 327 pawpaw seedlings were distributed to the farmers to boost household nutrition, diversify farm production and create additional income opportunities. The pawpaw trees are expected to play a key role in strengthening food security within the community by providing a reliable source of fruit for both consumption and sale, ultimately improving livelihoods and enhancing resilience among farming families.

This initiative aligns with the aspirations of Kenya Vision 2030 and supports the Government’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA) in promoting sustainable development, environmental stewardship, and enhanced food security across communities.