Nairobi: Representatives from various sectors, including national and county government departments, development partners, civil society organizations, and community groups, gathered in Marsabit for the quarterly Early Warning and Natural Resource Management (NRM) Coordination Forum. The meeting aimed to review progress, enhance collaboration, and plan sustainable early warning actions and natural resource management across the county.
According to Kenya News Agency, Deputy County Commissioner Stephen Kiloi praised stakeholders for their dedication to advancing the government’s development agenda. He emphasized that the forum serves as a crucial platform for evaluating ongoing programs, assessing achievements, and identifying challenges impacting service delivery. Kiloi stressed the importance of sustainable partnerships in accelerating development and improving the livelihoods of Marsabit residents. He also highlighted the need for stakeholders to promote peace and security while implementing development interventions.
Marsabit County Chief Officer for Water, Environment, and Natural Resources Management, Pauline Marleni, stated that the forum convenes over 70 partners quarterly to coordinate conservation and natural resource management activities. She noted that participants share updates on various interventions, including rangeland restoration, conservation programs, and climate- and environment-related initiatives. Marleni highlighted the collaborative efforts of the County Department of Natural Resources Management with other departments to ensure coordinated implementation of development programs.
The forum also supports policy development, including the Natural Resources Management Policy and Water Policy. Communication and coordination are managed by the Department of Water, Environment, and Natural Resources under the County Executive Committee Member’s leadership. Marleni emphasized the forum’s rotational leadership model, currently co-led by the Center for Research and Development in Drylands (CRDD). She expressed gratitude to all partners for their contributions and thanked Governor Mohamud Ali for supporting the initiative.
Welthungerhilfe (WHH) head of projects for Marsabit, Festus Yambu, described natural resource management as a cross-cutting issue impacting nearly every development sector. WHH focuses on rangeland restoration, water source protection, and climate-resilient agriculture. Yambu underscored the potential of rainwater harvesting and advocated for investment in technologies like sand dams to provide reliable water sources. He cautioned against over-reliance on groundwater extraction, advocating for a balanced approach to protect ecosystems.
CRDD Research and Programme’s Manager, Abdinasir Elmi, stated that the quarterly forum is vital for coordinating early warning systems and natural resource management efforts. The meeting facilitates sharing progress updates, coordinating interventions, and aligning programs for greater collective impact. Elmi highlighted CRDD’s pilot project, funded by Oxfam GB, which aims to strengthen Kenya’s early warning systems for effective peacebuilding and humanitarian response. Improved early warning information enhances preparedness for climate-related shocks, strengthening resilience in Marsabit and other pastoral regions.
