THE CAUX DIALOGUE ON LAND AND SECURITYTHE CAUX DIALOGUE ON LAND AND SECURITY

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT THROUGH LAND RESTORATION A CASE FOR BARINGO COUNTY-

KENYA

By H.E. Eng , Mathew Tuitoek Deputy Governor Baringo County

County Background County Background Baringo County covers an area of

11,015.3 km2 of which 165km2 is surface water comprising of 4 Lakes, Baringo, Bogoria, Kamnarok and lake 94.

The County has a population of 555,562 with a high annual growth rate of 2.9% p.a (KPC, 2009).

Over 80% of the population dwell in rural areas and has high poverty levels estimated at 58.7%.

Background cont’Background cont’Baringo County is a unique with regard to

climate. It has huge variation in altitude. 45% of the county is too steep! Due to their varied altitudes, the sub-counties receive different levels of rainfall (500 to 1500mm).

The fragile natural and agro-ecosystems are severely exposed to harsh climatic conditions. This threaten food and livelihood security and sustainability of natural resource use.

The situation is aggravated by effects of climate change , population explotion including erratic weather patterns and occupation of fragile ecosystems

ContextContext The Constitution of Kenya 2010 provides for a

two tier governance system The National government and 47 County

governments are distinct in functions but interdependent in execution of its mandates.

Executive plays administrative roles and delivery of service to citizens while the County Assembly offers legislative and oversight of all county public institutions.

The executive is working harmoniously with both arms of government and National Government and the County Assembly in delivery of its mandate

There has been Increased human conflicts arsing from natural resources scarcity, i.e. water, pasture and boundary disputes

Population increase has led to cultivation of fragile ecological zones and steep slopes

Map of Baringo CountyMap of Baringo County

Baringo County Government Baringo County Government AchievementsAchievementsGreat progress in delivery of

services to the citizenry,Instant implementations of projects, Responding to needs and challenge

of the public Increased allocation public and

social servicesProtection and Management of

environment

Challenges facing the Challenges facing the new county government new county government A lot of expectation from the publicTransition to county government

challengesLimited resources both financial

and not financial High poverty levels Land and environmental

degradationConflict and Insecurity

Climate change related Climate change related challengeschallenges

I. Prolonged dry spells/ drought in East Pokot Baringo south and Baringo North sub counties

II. Extreme floods in the lowlands around Lakes Baringo and Bogoria

III. Landslides in the highlands during the rainy season especially the long rains season.

IV. destructive winds

SOIL AND ENVIRONMENTAL RELATED SOIL AND ENVIRONMENTAL RELATED CHALLENGES CHALLENGES

Erosion by water  Erosion by wind Hydrological effects of Land Poor Infrastructure Limited water resources Flooding and drought Environmental degradation Poor marketing system and limited access to financial credit

services Information and communication technology Unemployment Insecurity Land tenure system

Mitigation measuresMitigation measures

Investment in alternative energy sources - improved cook stoves and biogas units Training of stakeholders; youth, women and charcoal Producers associations Promotion and utilization of Early Warning Systems Development of the County contingency plan Formation of County climate change advisory committee comprising of key

departments and community forecasters. Promote education and awareness on climate change issues in the county

Encourage integrated approach on Climate Change among the sectors Participate in resource mobilization for CC issues Create platform of sharing knowledge and packaging of information on CC for

dissemination to other stakeholders and public Identify the Climate Chane challenges, interventions, adaptation process and

mitigation measures Promote collaboration/networking with institutions on CC Integration of the use of Indigenous/Traditional Knowledge in climate change

issues. The KMS team works hand in hand with other technical staff and community forecasters to disseminate information on weather and climate change.

The indigenous knowledge and meteorological forecasts are integrated into a unified message

Impact Impact These disasters have occurred

causing; loss of lives (drowning, landslides,

human wildlife conflict, cattle rustling )

Loss of livelihoods ( destroying crops and damaging property).

Agriculture related Agriculture related Developing County policies and legislations Increasing Agricultural Growth Reducing Food Insecurity and Poverty Building of dams and water pans

and de-silting of old ones Support in the provision of seeds and fertilizer for planting Support in food relief, water and livestock feeds Livestock off-take during severe drought Provision of medicine and vaccination to prevent disease outbreaks

and Evacuation to safer grounds in case of floods Tree planting campaigns (3 million seedlings earmarked for planting

this season) Promotion of soil conservation measures in the farms Reseeding of denuded lands Promotion of water harvesting techniques Promotion of early land preparation and timely planting of crops Exploration of geothermal energy

Photos: Rivers Molo and Perkerra Photos: Rivers Molo and Perkerra

Impact Impact

Photos: Flooded road to Lake Bogoria geysers, loss of Photos: Flooded road to Lake Bogoria geysers, loss of biodiversity; Acacia trees, Flamingoes reduced biodiversity; Acacia trees, Flamingoes reduced populationspopulations

Photos: Soi Lodge and Roberts Camp Photos: Soi Lodge and Roberts Camp floodedflooded

Gullies at Kerio Valley Kui Kui VillageGullies at Kerio Valley Kui Kui Village

Plans for ActionPlans for ActionBaringo County has planned to increase its

forest cover of 29.9% through;◦ Planting 2.9 million tree seedlings in 2014

through green schools program where 135 schools will be supported.

◦ Promotion of farmer managed natural regeneration (FMNR)

◦ Undertaking Aggressive Agroforestry◦ Protection of forest blocks through community

scouts◦ Fire tower

Investment in alternative energy sources - improved cook stoves and biogas units

Training of stakeholders; youth, women and charcoal Producers associations

Plans for ActionPlans for ActionSoil erosion control through check dams,

terracing and gabions constructionBuilding of dams and water pans and de-

silting of old onesSupport in the provision of fertilizer for

planting to increase food securitySupport in relief food and water tankeringPromotion of water harvesting techniquesPromotion of early land preparation and

timely planting of crops

Plans for ActionPlans for ActionRe-introduction of traditional high

value cropsPromotion and utilization of Early

Warning Systems Development of the County

contingency planFormation of County climate

change advisory committee comprising of key departments and community forecasters.

Plans for ActionPlans for Action Promotion of Education and awareness on

climate change issues in the county Integrated approach on CC among the

sectors Participate in resource mobilization for CC

issues Create platform of sharing knowledge and

packaging of information on CC for dissemination to other stakeholders and public

Identify the CC challenges, interventions, adaptation process and mitigation measures

Promote Collaboration/Networking with institutions on Climate Change

Plans for ActionPlans for ActionIntegration of the use; Indigenous/Traditional Knowledge

in climate change issues. The KMS team to work hand in

hand with other technical staff and community

Disseminate information on weather and climate change.

THANK YOU!THANK YOU!