Cabinet Secretary for East African Community Affairs, ASALs and Regional Development Beatrice Askul visited a nursery at Chepsurur‑Kishaunet that holds 350,000 tree seedlings, one of 16 nurseries the Kerio Valley Development Authority has set up across its jurisdiction.

Askul said the inspection was intended to assess how the region can capture the anticipated El Niño rains while reducing flood risk, soil erosion and water scarcity.

The visit follows a national meteorological bulletin warning of a likely El Niño event, prompting early preparation measures in the county.

Why conserving the upper Kerio Valley matters downstream

Askul highlighted that protecting the upper reaches of the Kerio Valley is critical for downstream communities in arid and semi‑arid zones that depend on rivers, dams, water pans and boreholes for their water supply.

Planned seedling distribution and community guidance

The government has earmarked funds for the production and distribution of tree seedlings, tasking KVDA with planting up to four million seedlings in the North Rift region during the upcoming El Niño rains.

Communities, especially pastoralists, are urged to move livestock and settlements away from riverbanks to higher ground before the rains begin, reducing exposure to runoff damage.