This year’s global theme for Desertification and Drought Day, “United for Land. Our Legacy. Our Future,” emphasizes the transformative power of sustainable land use—a blueprint for a healthy future on land for coming generations. The theme is a clarion call for renewed global action in sustainable land management and drought resilience initiatives.
Cabinet Secretary Hon. Soipan Tuya presided over this year’s World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought at Olkinyei in Laikipia North, where she visited a successfully restored rangeland at Maiyanat Community Conservancy.
The event was attended by Laikipia Governor Joshua Irungu, area MP Sarah Korere, Principal Secretaries Dr. Eng. Festus Ng’eno (Environment and Climate Change), Silvia Museiya (Wildlife), several Laikipia County leaders, NECC Committee members Mary Njogu (Secretary), William Nairuko (Member), Ernest Kioko (Member), Eng. Steve Muli (Member), representatives of development partners, and residents of Laikipia North.
Following years of training and capacity building by the Government and development partners, Kenyan communities, particularly the youth, now have the knowledge and skills to innovate and implement transformative climate action initiatives.
The Ministry is focused on scaling up numerous innovative ideas and start-ups by providing adequate resources and incubation support. This approach aims to open up emerging value chains for climate change resilience, wealth creation, and employment opportunities.
Regarding the sustainable utilization of forest resources, the Ministry encourages all forest-adjacent communities to join or form Community Forest Associations (CFAs). Through these associations, they can engage with the Government using negotiated Participatory Forest Management Plans (PFMPs) and Forest Management Agreements (FMAs) as stipulated in the Forest Conservation and Management Act 2016.
The Cabinet Secretary made these remarks during the Desertification and Drought Day celebrations.
