Britam Foundation and Jumbo Charge Partner to Restore Mt. Elgon Water Tower

The Britam Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Britam Holdings PLC, has entered into a five-year strategic partnership with the Jumbo Charge Trust to restore the degraded Mt. Elgon Water Tower.

The partnership, formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed at Britam Tower, will support Kenya’s National Tree Growing and Restoration Strategy as well as the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration. In its initial phase, the project will see 200,000 trees planted across 444 hectares of degraded forest land in the Cheptais, Kaberwa, Kiptogot, and Kitale Township forest blocks. The program is expected to expand to additional areas over the five-year period.

The Mt. Elgon ecosystem is one of Kenya’s critical water towers but has suffered from deforestation and land degradation. By restoring the forest, the initiative aims to strengthen climate resilience, enhance water security, and deliver social and economic benefits to surrounding communities.

Jumbo Charge will lead the implementation on the ground in collaboration with the Kenya Forest Service (KFS). The organization will oversee the entire restoration process, including sourcing seedlings, planting, monitoring survival rates, and mobilizing local communities such as Community Forest Associations, youth groups, and schools.

Britam Foundation will finance the initiative, covering seedlings, labor, and monitoring and evaluation costs. The Foundation will also invest in building the capacity of local stakeholders through training and institutional support to ensure long-term sustainability.

“This partnership with Jumbo Charge reaffirms our commitment to safeguarding the futures of the communities we serve,” said Britam Foundation. “Restoring the Mt. Elgon Water Tower is about more than planting trees; it’s about building climate resilience, protecting ecosystems, and empowering people to become custodians of their environment.”

Jumbo Charge Trust welcomed the collaboration, saying it will accelerate ongoing conservation efforts. “By working with Britam Foundation and engaging local communities, we can deliver lasting impact and instill a strong culture of environmental stewardship.” the company said

Both organizations will also establish a transparent monitoring system to track progress. Under the agreement, Britam Foundation retains full ownership of environmental benefits, including carbon rights, from the restored forest areas.

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