The County Government of Trans Nzoia has signed a lease agreement with VI Planterar Trad for the provision of agroforestry services on the Kitale Museum property.
Under the agreement, the county will serve as the lessor, granting VI Planterar Trad, the lessee, rights to utilize part of the museum land for agroforestry activities aimed at promoting environmental conservation, climate resilience, and sustainable land use.
The signing ceremony held at Kitale Museum brought together county officials and representatives of VI Planterar Trad, marking a significant milestone in strengthening public-private partnerships within the environmental and agricultural sectors.
Speaking during the occasion, CECM for Gender, Youth, Sports, Culture and Tourism, Eliud Tormoi, welcomed the collaboration and expressed confidence in the partnership.
“We wish VI Agroforestry the very best as they begin operations at the Kitale Museum property. There is so much we can work on together, and we are looking forward to building a strong and productive relationship,” said Tormoi.
He assured the lessee of the county’s full support.
“As the lessor, the County Government of Trans Nzoia will ensure that we provide a conducive and enabling environment for VI Planterar Trad to execute whatever they plan to do under this lease agreement,” he added.
Tormoi further emphasized the importance of agroforestry in tackling climate change.
“Climate change is affecting our communities through erratic weather patterns and declining agricultural productivity.
Through agroforestry, we can increase tree cover, restore degraded land, improve soil fertility, and enhance food security. This initiative aligns with our county’s commitment to climate change mitigation and environmental sustainability,” he said.
Chief officer for Gender, Youth, Sports, Culture and Tourism, Jane Wachwenge, also lauded the partnership, describing it as a progressive move for the region.
“As a county government, we are impressed with this collaboration with VI Planterar Trad. It is a forward-looking initiative that will benefit our people and environment. We wish them the very best as they begin implementing the project,” said Wachwenge.
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VI manager Dorcus Munywa expressed enthusiasm about the new venture and highlighted the company’s expansion plans.
He said they are looking forward to working closely with the County Government of Trans Nzoia to ensure the success of the project.
“VI is diversifying to other counties in the western region, and this lease agreement is an important milestone in that expansion,” said Munywa.
County Solicitor Diana Wabwire commended the smooth process leading to the signing of the agreement.
“We are happy with the smooth operation of the entire process. The cooperation and professionalism demonstrated by the county government made it possible for us to finalize this agreement successfully,” she said.
Director of Tourism Catherine Kerubo concluded the ceremony by thanking all stakeholders and expressing hope for continued collaboration.
“I would like to thank everyone who contributed to making this lease agreement a success. We look forward to more partnerships that will promote environmental conservation, sustainable agriculture, and community development in Trans Nzoia,” she said.
The project is expected to transform part of the Kitale Museum property into a model agroforestry site, supporting tree planting initiatives, environmental education, and climate-smart agricultural practices across Trans Nzoia County and the wider western region.
