The identified synergies include a focus on the promotion of the beekeeping value chain, livestock, and pasture seed development, climate change mitigation and conservation programs, water harvesting and storage, peace initiatives, and undertaking resource mobilization among others.

The MoU signed at Arap Moi Baratabwa Secondary School, Bartabwa ward in Baringo North sub-county by Governor Benjamin Cheboi and KVDA Managing Director Sammy Naporos will see the County Government and the Authority undertake joint development programs within the County. While signing the deal, Governor Cheboi hailed the collaboration as an avenue for wealth creation and eventually improvement of the livelihoods of Baringo residents and the county’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The MoU is to ensure the livelihoods of the population are improved because of the effects of climate change.

Mr Naporos who was accompanied by his Board Chairman, Mark Chesergon, and directors said; “We intend to alleviate water scarcity to effectively fight food insecurity and water pans will be constructed in water-stressed areas. Also, we have rolled out sustainable conservation efforts which involve the supplying of mango and avocado seedlings to farmers for environmental conservation as well as income generation.”

The Chairman on his part said the Authority’s main mandate was environmental conservation, along the Kerio Valley Basin and that explains why there is a deliberate attempt to conserve it as well as come up with sustainable programs for income generation.

“The seedlings require attention to enable them to reach maturity without going to waste. In this way we are going to achieve the presidential directive of 10 percent forest cover and more other activities have been lined up to generate income for the local residents,” he said.

The Authority distributed 25,000 mango seedlings and 500 assorted seedlings.