Who we are

The Project (acronym ESACO) is a Community-based organisation engaged in Environmental Awareness, Tree-Planting and Environmental Conservation and also Civic Education. We are based in Eldama Ravine in Baringo County. It was founded in February 2002 and is registered as a CBO under the Registrar of Societies in accordance with the Laws of Kenya. Our programmes and activities mainly cover Baringo County, although we have since spread to Nakuru County and parts of Elgeyo Marakwet and Nairobi Counties. We majorly focus on tree-planting at selected rehabilitation/degraded area/sites, schools and town beautification exercises within our areas of operation. We have over the last seventeen (17) years mobilised Communities to plant over 2.4 million trees in both public and private lands as at June 2019. Through sports activities, we have managed to rally the necessary public interest, participation and support.

​

Public/Government Lands
Notable amongst the work we have done is the massive one-day exercise in April, 2004 in
which we planted 30,000 trees along a 37 km road stretch to replace/replenish trees that had been earlier been felled and/or uprooted during a Government road upgrading Project. In addition, that month 10,000 trees were distributed to community residents (4 each) for their private planting at their homes. The initiative was sponsored and supported by both the Green Belt Movement and the Safaricom Foundation.  In April 2011, we championed the planting of 20,000 indigenous seedlings at the Sabatia Forest (within the Mau Complex) in Koibatek District, Baringo County. Similarly, I in April 2012 I mobilised 2,000 local community members and residents of Kabarnet town and environs to plant 5,000 indigenous trees at the Morop/Tarambas Forest (around Kirandich Dam).

In April-June, 2016 we successfully spearheaded the frantic effort/struggle to fight off
attempts by certain ‘quarters’ to de-gazette and/or excise a portion (100 acres) of Narasha
Forest in Koibatek Zone, Baringo County for private development. And we Esaco, in
conjunction with the Kenya Forest Service (KFS), the local CFAs, Lembus Council of Elders
and other stakeholders came together and fenced off a bare section of the contested forest
area and planted 4,000 indigenous seedlings in order to deter/discourage any possible future interest by forest encroachers and questionable private developers.

 Beautification Campaigns
We have undertaken the beautification in Eldama Ravine town, Marigat and Kabarnet
through the planting of ornamental trees, exotic flowers and assorted grasses. In particular
Eldama Ravine town which is Esaco’s noteworthy beautification success story can be defined by the scenic ‘Obama Gardens’; definitely the favourite resting (or pass-time) place in town. Not to mention the numerous trees lining the streets and providing the very much needed shelter from the sun above. The beautification of Eldama Ravine was first done by Esaco in November 2008, that historic and memorable year Barack Obama ascended to power as the first ever black President of the
USA. Hence the apt naming of our Garden after him, the great son whose roots are traced
back to our own soil here in Kenya.

In April 2011, we initiated and carried out the rehabilitation and beautification of Rongai
Riverbank at Junction Centre (Ravine/Kabarnet junction) near the border of Baringo and
Nakuru Counties. We fenced off the whole area of about one (1) acre and filled it wit an
assortment of trees both exotic and indigenous). Today, 7 years down the line, the area is no
doubt a site to behold! Thanks be to Esaco.

 Schools and other Institutions
In our Tree-planting programmes under Esaco, we have over the years collaborated, planned,
planted/replanted, supervised, followed up, evaluated and worked with the following Schools
and Institutions:
1) Lebolos Primary School - Host and venue for Volleyball tournament for several years
2) Solian Primary School
3) Sabatia Primary School
4) Sabatia High School
5) Solian Primary School
6) Kokwomoi Primary School
7) Kabimoi High School
8) Kabimoi Primary School
9) AIC Esageri Boarding Primary School - Host and venue for tournament for several years
9) Jonothan Toroitich Primary School
10) Kamelilo Primary School
11) Baringo High School
12) Poror High School
13) Eldama Ravine Girls High School
14) Emining Primary School
15) Mandina Primary School
16) Philemon Chelagat Secondary School - Kabarnet
17) Visa Oshwal Primary School - Kbt
18) Marigat High School
19) Alice Ingham Primary School - Marigat
20) Taidys Restaurant - Eldama Ravine
21) Safaricom Foundation
22) Total Kenya Ltd
23) Sabatia Farmers’ Co-operative Society Ltd
 
 Tree Nursery Development
We have established well over 50 affiliate Tree Nurseries which supply the seedlings
required for our tree-planting effort. These Tree Nurseries are valuable income-generating
avenues for our members, majority of whom are youth and women and Esaco gives first
priority to these Groups when purchasing seedlings.
Annual Esaco Tree-Planting Week &Tournament
We run an annual Esaco Tree-Planting Week &Tournament where we set out a 7-day
public planting week over the Easter period beginning with an open Volleyball tournament
where all players and spectators must plant a tree or two before taking to the field.

 Formation
Albert Lagat, is the founder and Chairman (now Patron) of the Organisation. He has two (2)
times been identified and nominated for the Presidential award of the National Hero of the
Year (2013 & 2017). In 2007, he was recognised by Total (K) Ltd and awarded the medal and title of Tree Ambassador for promoting tree growing in Kenya.