Uasin Gishu County

The county has a total population of 894,179 according to the 2009 population and housing census. It lies between longitude 34 degrees 50’ east and 35 degrees 37’ west and latitudes 0 degrees 03’ South and 0 degrees 55’North. It experiences high and reliable rainfall which is equally distributed throughout the year. Average rainfall ranges between 624.9mm to 1560.4mm. The temperature ranges between 7 degrees Celsius and 29 degree Celsius. The County has a total of 29,802 ha of gazetted forest out of which 13,184 hectares is under plantation while 16,618 hectares is indigenous forest cover.

There exists community forest associations involved in forestry as an income generating activities The overuse and destruction of forest cover points to the need to protect forests and water catchment areas. The continued reliance of trees for fuel; and the use of wetlands for farming has led to deforestation and encroachment on river banks. These practices have resulted in environmental degradation, siltation of water reservoirs, depletion of forest cover, soil erosion and degradation. Concerted efforts are required to reverse these trends. Deforestation has led to unpredictable weather conditions greatly affecting farming.