Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has urged governments, development partners and environmental organizations to intensify efforts to combat drought, land degradation and desertification, warning that millions of livelihoods depend on the health of rangeland ecosystems.
Speaking in Vipingo, Kilifi County, during the observance of the World Day on Combating Drought and Desertification on Wednesday, Kindiki said rangelands remain one of the world’s most important natural resources but continue to face increasing pressure from climate change, unsustainable land use practices and environmental degradation.
“Globally, rangelands cover more than half of the Earth’s land surface and support nearly two billion people, including over 500 million pastoralists. Protecting these ecosystems is therefore not only an environmental obligation but also a socio-economic necessity,” said Kindiki.
Rangelands Key to Kenya’s Economy
The Deputy President noted that Kenya’s rangelands occupy approximately 80 percent of the country’s land mass and sustain millions of people through livestock production, tourism, biodiversity conservation, trade and cultural activities.
He said the country’s arid and semi-arid lands play a vital role in national development and food security, making their restoration and protection a priority for the government.
“In Kenya, our rangelands support millions of livelihoods and contribute significantly to the economy. Their degradation threatens food security, livelihoods, biodiversity and the resilience of communities that depend on them,” he said.
Kindiki emphasized that addressing drought and desertification requires coordinated action at both national and international levels to ensure vulnerable communities are protected from worsening climate impacts.
Tree Planting Programme to Boost Restoration Efforts
The Deputy President highlighted the government’s ongoing environmental conservation initiatives, particularly the National Programme to plant and nurture 15 billion trees by 2032.
According to Kindiki, the ambitious programme will play a critical role in restoring degraded landscapes, improving water catchment areas and strengthening the resilience of Kenya’s rangelands.
“Our national programme to plant and nurture 15 billion trees by the year 2032 will go a long way in restoring vast components of our rangelands and improving ecosystem health for future generations,” he said.
He added that ecosystem restoration remains one of the most effective ways of mitigating climate change while creating economic opportunities for local communities.
Global Leaders Unite Against Desertification
The event brought together government officials, environmental experts, development partners and international leaders committed to advancing sustainable land management.
Among those in attendance were the Director-General of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Executive Secretary of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), underscoring the global importance of the occasion.
Kindiki said international cooperation will be critical in finding lasting solutions to drought resilience, ecosystem restoration and sustainable land use.
“There is an urgent need for global solutions to land degradation, drought resilience and ecosystem restoration in rangelands to protect livelihoods and secure a sustainable future for generations to come,” he said.
The World Day on Combating Drought and Desertification is observed annually to raise awareness about the impacts of land degradation and to encourage collective action toward sustainable management of land resources worldwide.
