Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has called for enhanced global action to restore degraded rangelands and fragile ecosystems, saying environmental protection is critical to safeguarding livelihoods, food security and future generations.
Speaking on Wednesday during the Global Observance of Desertification and Drought Day in Vipingo, Kilifi County, Kindiki reaffirmed Kenya’s commitment to ecosystem restoration through an ambitious plan to plant 15 billion trees by 2032.
The event, held under the theme “Rangelands: Recognize, Respect, Restore,” brought together government officials, environmental experts and development partners to discuss solutions to land degradation and climate change.
Kindiki said the restoration of rangelands, forests and wetlands was no longer optional, warning that environmental degradation continues to threaten communities and economies across the world.
“We must recognize the numbers, we must recognize the magnitude of the challenge before us, and we must recognize the duty the present generation owes, not to ourselves, but to future generations,” he said.
The Deputy President noted that degraded ecosystems directly affect agricultural productivity, water availability and the livelihoods of millions of people, particularly in arid and semi-arid areas.
“When land loses its productivity, farmers lose harvests, people lose income, pastoralists lose livestock, communities lose water sources and young people lose opportunities. The consequences are poverty, conflict and displacement,” he said.
Kindiki stressed that ecosystems such as wetlands and rangelands should not be viewed as idle land but as productive resources that sustain people and biodiversity.
“We must recognize that wetlands are not wastelands, wetlands are ecosystems of activity,” he said.
He underscored the need for intergenerational responsibility in environmental conservation, saying current generations have a duty to leave natural resources in a better state for future generations.
“We have not inherited this land from our ancestors; we have only borrowed it from our children,” he said.
The Deputy President said Kenya’s 15-billion-tree programme forms part of broader efforts to combat land degradation, drought and desertification while enhancing ecosystem resilience.
He noted that the initiative will prioritize locally suitable species, including mangroves, coconut trees, mango trees and cashew nut trees, particularly in coastal counties.
“These trees do not only help conserve the environment; they also create wealth and put money in the pockets of the people of Kilifi and the entire coastal region,” he said.
Kindiki directed that mangrove restoration efforts be intensified in Kilifi as part of ongoing efforts to rehabilitate coastal ecosystems.
“We must commit to increasing the number of mangroves planted here in Kilifi every month,” he said.
The Deputy President also emphasized the need for measurable action and accountability in environmental restoration programmes.
“We know what we need to do. We know the action we need to take. What we must do now is provide timelines and establish a way of checking ourselves to make sure that we are on track,” he said.
Kindiki highlighted Kenya’s collaboration with global institutions such as the United Nations Environment Programme and the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification, noting that international partnerships remain critical in tackling climate and environmental challenges.
He further assured that the government will continue working with local communities to incorporate indigenous knowledge into conservation efforts.
“We must respect communities and their knowledge. We must also protect them, and we must support them,” he said.
