Ministry of Environment Launches Initiative to Restore Kenya’s Wetlands

Murang’a, Kenya – The Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, and Forestry is calling on groups and organizations to participate in the restoration of Kenya’s degraded wetlands. Cabinet Secretary Soipan Tuya, speaking through Administrative Secretary John Elung’ata at the launch of the wetlands restoration campaign in Murang’a County, emphasized the importance of this conservation effort.

According to Kenya News Agency, Tuya’s address at the Wairuri wetlands highlighted the ministry’s ‘Adopt-a-wetland initiative,’ aimed at enhancing the ecological integrity and sustainable use of wetlands. The initiative invites stakeholders to lead conservation efforts and mobilize resources for the restoration of specific wetlands. The event marked the planting of over 3000 seedlings, contributing to the government’s target of planting 15 billion trees by 2032 and conserving wetlands and catchments.

The CS pointed out that wetlands are among the most threatened ecosystems in Kenya, often targeted for agricultural and settlement purposes over the past decades. To combat these threats, the Wairuri wetland was gazetted in 2021 as a conservation area under legal notice No. 206 of the Water Act 2016.

The National Environmental Complaints Committee (NECC) has adopted the Wairuri wetland, joining forces with other stakeholders for its restoration and conservation. NECC Secretary Mary Njogu emphasized the need for sustainable management and collaboration with key stakeholders, including the Kenya Forest Service, NEMA, the County Government of Murang’a, and the local community.

Njogu also highlighted the importance of tree planting in purifying water sources and encouraged public reporting of environmental degradation. Isaac Elmi, Deputy Director of Ecosystem Management at NEMA, called for NECC’s leadership in collaboration with relevant institutions for wetland restoration.

Murang’a County forest conservator Eunice Njoroge noted that the county aims to reach 30 percent tree cover and 10 percent forest cover within a year. The county currently stands at 27.8 percent tree cover and approximately 8 percent forest cover, with potential to exceed 36 percent.

Murang’a County Director of Nema, Sarah Waruo, stated their commitment to protecting all wetlands from encroachment, including plans to fence the Wairuri wetland, a critical water source for local rivers and communities.