KFS launches World Bank-backed KEWASIP to save Kenya’s water towers
By Babu Tendu, January 26, 2026The Kenya Forest Services (KFS) on Monday, January 26, 2026, announced that they had launched the Kenya Watershed Services Improvement Project (KEWASIP).
Through a statement posted on their social media pages, KFS stated that the launch was presided over by Gitonga Mugambi, Principal Secretary for the state department for forestry.
The five-year, world bank sponsored project is expected to restore critical degraded landscapes and enhance essential watershed services across twelve pilot counties.
These counties include Isiolo, Tana River, Garissa, Baringo, Meru, Tharaka-Nithi, Kwale, Makueni, Laikipia, Samburu, Marsabit and Kitui.
In the statement, KFS says that, as one of the main implementing agencies, it will play a leading role in the implementation of the project, drawing from its past experience working with the World Bank in forestry development projects.
“While addressing the gathering, the PS called on all implementing agencies to work together to ensure that KEWASIP delivers lasting benefits to the 12 counties. He also called on the implementing counties to give the project their full support. He pledged his support to the project and thanked the World Bank for funding the Project,” KFS said in a statement.
Speaking at the event, the CCF said that the project had been anchored in the National Landscape and Ecosystem Restoration Strategy and will be a major pathway for accelerating the 15 Billion National Tree Growing Flagship Programme and achieving the 30% tree cover target by 2032.
According to the statement by KFS, the Chief Conservator of Forests, Lemarkoko, noted that KFS has mapped out 82 tree nurseries across 12 pilot counties in readiness for implementation of the project.
He added that they target the production of 1 billion seedlings and will improve the nursery infrastructure in phases.
“Importantly, KEWASIP also represents the single largest investment portfolio in Kenya’s forest sector since independence, an opportunity and responsibility that we do not take lightly,” the CCF added.