CS Duale says pastoralists key to success of Kenya's climate action

Environment Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale speaking at the start of a two-day Pastoralists Parliamentary Group leadership retreat at a Machakos hotel. [Courtesy]

Environment Cabinet Secretary now says the 15 Billion Tree Growing initiative will play a key role in restoring degraded landscapes occupied by the pastoral communities.

Duale on Friday said the government is aware of the special place held by pastoralist communities that occupy the highly vulnerable ASALs in the delivery of its broad climate action mandate.

He said worsening negative impacts of climate change, characterised by cyclic heavy flooding and droughts have had devastating impacts on pastoralist communities whose lives largely depend on livestock keeping.

Speaking at the start of a two-day Pastoralists Parliamentary Group leadership retreat at a Machakos hotel, Duale said climate change is destroying Kenya's natural resources through land degradation and biodiversity loss all of which affect pastoralist livelihoods.

While outlining initiatives being implemented by the ministry to address areas highlighted as a priority, the CS said his ministry has designed specific programs that are designed to address climate change in ASALS.

"At the heart of our efforts is the 15 Billion Tree Growing Initiative, which aims to restore 10.6 million hectares of degraded landscapes by 2032. Pastoralist areas, which constitute 88 per cent of Kenya's landmass, are central to this initiative," he said.

According to him, these regions are home to 70 per cent of livestock and 90 per cent of wildlife with nearly half of the restoration targets focusing on rangelands.

He said the ministry remains committed to managing invasive species like Prosopis Juliflora (Mathenge) which has infested 22 counties and Ipomoea hildebrandtii (Oltiameleteti) which is prevalent in Kajiado County.

"By restoring these rangelands, we aim to create climate-resilient landscapes that support pastoralist livelihoods and contribute to national goals of biodiversity conservation," said Duale.

The Cabinet Secretary, who was accompanied by Forestry PS Mr Gitonga Mugambi, recognised the critical role PPG plays in developing effective policies that address the unique needs of pastoralist regions.

At the same time, Duale undertook to work with PPG in strengthening regulatory frameworks around land tenure, resource conflicts and rangeland restoration as well as in the advocacy for enhanced financing climate financing in these areas.