𝐆𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐨𝐫 𝐁𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐬𝐚 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐆𝐥𝐨𝐛𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐊𝐚𝐤𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐠𝐚 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐀𝐩𝐢𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞

H.E. FCPA Governor Fernandes Barasa today welcomed a high-level delegation to Kakamega County to strengthen collaboration on building socio-ecologically balanced landscapes in the iconic Kakamega Tropical Rain Forest.

The delegation was led by Dr. Njeri Kabeberi the, President of Wangari Maathai Foundation and accompanied by Dr. Joann Sy, the lead Scientist in epidemiology and working with the Green Network Project (GNP), Dr. Fabrice Requier from IRD seconded to ICIPE and Dr. Kiatoko Nkoba of ICIPE.

The forest conservation initiative will be funded by the French Government led by the Ambassador Dr. Arnaud Suquet under the support of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Governor Barasa expressed his administration’s commitment to sustainable environmental management and acknowledged the support of the Government of France in advancing climate resilience and biodiversity conservation in the region.

The Governor reiterated that environmental conservation is a key pillar of his development agenda and emphasized the importance of protecting natural resources for future generations based on scientifically backed research and findings.

He said the team will also support the development of the apiculture value chain from the 18 unique species of stingless bees that are specific to Kakamega County to produce other products like candles, pollen, honey soap, eco shoe polish, and lip balm, in addition to honey.

Also present were CECM for Environment Mrs. Penina Mukabane, Prof. Mugatsia Tsingalia from MMUST, Hon Jael Omunyangoli from the County Assembly, representatives of KFS, KWS, National Government officials and key stakeholders dedicated to preserving Kenya’s only tropical rainforest and apiculture development.