Nairobi:Nandi County: Nandi County is intensifying its efforts to conserve and restore wetlands, collaborating with national government agencies, community groups, and other partners in response to concerns over threats such as encroachment, farming, and sand harvesting.
According to Kenya News Agency, the initiative involves the county government, National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), Kenya Forest Service (KFS), Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), and groups like Women in Water. This coordinated campaign aims to protect wetlands and promote sustainable use of natural resources.
The wetlands under focus include King’wal, Kibirong, Matambach, Tinderet, Kapkongony, and Mutwot. King’wal and Kibirong have been previously mapped to determine their biodiversity and the extent of human impact. King’wal is notably significant for providing habitat to the rare sitatunga antelope and various bird species.
Hillary Serem, the County Executive Committee Member for lands, environment, and natural resources, emphasized the importance of safeguarding wetlands for water, biodiversity, and livelihoods. He highlighted the role of stakeholder engagement in addressing ecosystem threats and ensuring residents understand the long-term conservation benefits.
Serem warned that activities such as farming, settlement, deforestation, and sand harvesting have degraded some wetlands. In King’wal, human encroachment threatens wildlife habitats, while inadequate fencing exposes ecosystems to disturbances.
The conservation campaign seeks to involve the community, emphasizing environmental education and alternative livelihoods. Women in Water and other groups will educate residents on protecting water sources and avoiding destructive practices. NEMA will support environmental awareness and enforcement, while KWS will provide expertise on biodiversity conservation. KFS will aid restoration through tree planting and forest management, with the county government coordinating efforts and aligning them with local development.
Past interventions have shown partnership potential in restoring ecosystems. For instance, in Kibirong, bamboo planting has been used to restore wetlands and offer sustainable resource opportunities. Over 1,000 bamboo seedlings have been planted in such efforts.
Nandi’s policy framework for wetland management includes prepared management plans for King’wal and Kibirong. Recent restoration has mapped and restored over 500 acres of wetlands, with additional areas identified for future efforts.
Serem stressed the need for ongoing cooperation between government agencies and communities to reverse degradation and secure water resources for future generations. He urged residents to view conservation as an investment in water security, agriculture, and climate resilience.
The initiative aims to protect wetlands as ecological assets, sources of water, and wildlife habitats, ensuring their sustainability for future generations.
