Kajiado: The County Government of Kajiado has unveiled the Kajiado County Climate Change Policy paper 2026 and the Kajiado County Water Policy 2024, aimed at establishing a strategic framework for sustainable water resource management, climate action, environmental conservation, and enhanced service delivery. These policies are designed to bolster the county's response to climate change, emphasizing a commitment to building a resilient and sustainable future.
According to Kenya News Agency, the launch event was officiated by Kajiado Deputy Governor Martin Moshisho at the headquarters of the Department of Water Services, Environment, Natural Resources and Climate Change in Kajiado town. This initiative was executed in collaboration with World Vision Kenya, World Wildlife Fund (WWF), the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), and the county Department of Water Services, Environment, Natural Resources and Climate Change.
The policies are aligned with the Constitution of Kenya, the Climate Change Act, Kenya Vision 2030, the Sustainable Development Goals, and the Paris Agreement. They aim to tackle issues such as prolonged droughts, erratic rainfall, floods, land degradation, water scarcity, biodiversity loss, and declining livestock productivity while promoting renewable energy and low-carbon development strategies.
Deputy Governor Moshisho highlighted that Kajiado, as one of Kenya's Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASAL) counties, is grappling with water scarcity, making these policies crucial for guiding climate adaptation and improving water security. He noted that the county government has made significant investments in climate mitigation and water infrastructure over the past nine years, including sinking boreholes, securing water catchment areas through partnerships, constructing dams, and expanding water coverage to over 50 percent of the county.
Moshisho mentioned that the policies would serve as a foundation for further legislation by the County Assembly to facilitate their implementation. County Executive Committee Member for Water Services, Environment, Natural Resources and Climate Change, Joyce Neiyeiyo Pere, expressed gratitude to the county government and development partners for their collaboration in addressing environmental challenges. She urged all county departments to integrate the policies' action plans into their budgets and appealed to development partners to continue supporting climate resilience initiatives across the county.
Miriam Mbembe, Head of Programmes at World Vision Kenya, emphasized the importance of prioritizing climate restoration, noting that climate change impacts livelihoods, ecosystems, and wildlife. She called for swift implementation of the policies through collaboration between the county government and key stakeholders.
Hwayeong Bae, KOICA Assistant Country Director, remarked that the policies effectively blend indigenous Maasai knowledge with modern scientific research to address climate change. She highlighted that the policies were developed through a community-centred approach and encouraged residents to actively participate in their implementation.
A representative of WWF, speaking on behalf of Chief Executive Officer Jackson Kiplagat, warned against delays in implementing the policies, emphasizing that policy documents should be practical tools rather than remain unimplemented. 'The Water Policy and Climate Change Policy are not documents meant to remain on shelves. They are practical instruments that will guide the county in protecting water resources, responding to climate change, managing natural resources, and safeguarding livelihoods,' she stated.
The development of the Kajiado County Water Policy was supported by Welthungerhilfe (WHH), KWAHO, and WWF-Kenya, while the Climate Change Policy was developed with support from World Vision Kenya through the KOICA-funded K-SEED Project.