Eliud Kipchoge adopts 50 hectares in Kaptagat forest

World marathon record holder Eliud Kipchoge plants a tree in Kaptagat. [Kevin Tunoi, Standard]

Marathon World record holder Eliud Kipchoge is always a man on a mission.

When he's not setting new records he is giving public lectures on self believe.

And as a way of conserving the water catchment areas, Kipchoge has adopted 50 hectares of forest land in Kaptagat.

Kipchoge said the adopted land will be purely for planting indigenous trees as a way of restoring the forest to its original cover. 

Kipchoge said he adopted the hectares as a challenge to individuals, corporate entities, NGOs and citizens to conserve forests.

"Restoring this forest and handing it over to our children and grandchildren when it’s intact is the best gift we can give them. I will finish this race with you” he said.

“The speed at which we chase after awards in championships, ought to be the same when we are looking at preventing forest loss."

"We must protect that which provides us with clean air, clean water and is a perfect training ground for our athletes.”

Kipchoge regretted that there was wanton destruction of forests, which is killing the Kenyan heritage.

The adoption of the forest by Kipchoge comes in the wake of Environment CS Keriako Tobiko giving an executive order for the gazettment of Kaptagat forest ecosystem as a water tower.

"In two weeks, we will officially lift the gazettment of Kaptagat as a forest and elevate it to a water tower," he said.

The CS was speaking during the fourth edition of the Kaptagat forest tree planting exercise in Elgeyo Marakwet County. Tobiko visited Embobut, Cherangany and Kaptagat water towers.