About six months after a catastrophic landslide tore through the Kerio Valley escarpment, the village of Chesongoch in Elgeyo Marakwet County is transitioning from a site of mourning to one of active reconstruction.
Community voices are increasingly pointing to human activity as a key factor behind the tragedy.
Local resident Regina Tirop says the disaster should serve as a wake-up call on how environmental destruction is putting lives at risk.
“Landslides cannot happen where forests are intact. What we are seeing is the result of our own actions because we have destroyed our forests,” she said.
Tirop highlighted years of unchecked deforestation as a major contributor to the unstable terrain. She noted that trees have been heavily cut down, especially near riverbanks, with no effort to replant. This, she explained, has weakened the soil structure and left it vulnerable to collapse.
“We cut trees and never replace them. Near the rivers, the damage is even worse. That is why the soil can no longer hold when it rains,” she added.
Chesongoch Environmental Degradation
The Chesongoch disaster exposed how environmental degradation upstream can have terrible consequences downstream. Tirop noted that destructive practices in the highland areas have gradually worsened conditions across the region.
In the aftermath of the tragedy, there is a growing push for communities to adopt safer, more sustainable land-use practices. Residents are now being encouraged to move farming activities away from riparian zones and instead cultivate in safer, designated areas.
At the same time, environmental restoration is emerging as a key pillar of recovery in areas around Chesongoch. Tirop and other residents are advocating for aggressive tree planting, proposing a “cut one, plant two” approach to rebuild forest cover in the higher areas and stabilize the land over time.
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“We must replace what we have destroyed. If we plant trees and take care of them, the soil will become firm again, and such disasters can be avoided,” she said.
The recovery agenda also aligns with the broader national tree-cover restoration drive targeting 15 billion trees under the government’s climate action program, as well as Kenya’s wider reforestation and ecosystem restoration strategy.
This is further anchored in the Cherangany Hills Ecosystem Restoration for Livelihood Improvement, Sustainability and Harmony (CHERISH) Program, which focuses on restoring degraded landscapes, protecting water towers, and promoting sustainable livelihoods through community participation.
The CHERISH Program
The program, spearheaded by Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, emphasizes that restoring forests, protecting riverbanks, and promoting climate-smart agriculture are critical to reducing disaster risks in vulnerable regions.
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Murkomen is expected to officially launch the CHERISH Program in Kapyego, Marakwet East, on May 21, 2026, with a major tree-planting exercise alongside the native Sengwer indigenous community, which has strongly backed the initiative for its community-centered approach and inclusion of indigenous knowledge in forest restoration efforts.
The Sengwer community, which prides itself on its deep cultural and historical connection to the Cherangany forest ecosystem, has welcomed the program as a new model of conservation that recognizes local communities as key custodians of the forest.
The initiative also prioritizes long-term ecological rehabilitation as part of Kenya’s broader climate resilience and environmental restoration agenda.
Despite the devastation caused by the Chesongoch landslide, residents say they are increasingly hopeful that the tragedy can become a turning point for both the community and the environment. For many, recovery is no longer just about rebuilding homes, but about restoring the ecosystem that sustains livelihoods, water sources, and future generations.
“This tragedy has taught us a painful lesson,” Tirop said. “If we change our ways and take care of our land, we can protect our future.”
