THE 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
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%.
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Background cont’
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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
Context
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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 County
Baringo County Government
Achievements
Great 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
services
 Protection and Management of
environment
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Challenges facing the new
county government
A lot of expectation from the public
 Transition to county government
challenges
 Limited resources both financial and not
financial
 High poverty levels
 Land and environmental degradation
 Conflict and Insecurity
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Climate change related challenges
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
CHALLENGES
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Erosion by water
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Erosion by wind
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Hydrological effects of Land
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Poor Infrastructure
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Limited water resources
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Flooding and drought
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Environmental degradation
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Poor marketing system and limited access to financial credit services
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Information and communication technology
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Unemployment
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Insecurity
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Land tenure system
Mitigation measures
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Investment in alternative energy sources - improved cook stoves and biogas units
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Training of stakeholders; youth, women and charcoal Producers associations
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Promotion and utilization of Early Warning Systems
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Development of the County contingency plan
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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
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Encourage integrated approach on Climate Change among the sectors
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Participate in resource mobilization for CC issues
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Create platform of sharing knowledge and packaging of information on CC for dissemination
to other stakeholders and public
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Identify the Climate Chane challenges, interventions, adaptation process and mitigation
measures
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Promote collaboration/networking with institutions on CC
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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.
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The indigenous knowledge and meteorological forecasts are integrated into a unified message
Impact
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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
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Developing County policies and legislations
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Increasing Agricultural Growth
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Reducing Food Insecurity and Poverty Building of dams and water pans and desilting of old ones
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Support in the provision of seeds and fertilizer for planting
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Support in food relief, water and livestock feeds
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Livestock off-take during severe drought
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Provision of medicine and vaccination to prevent disease outbreaks and
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Evacuation to safer grounds in case of floods
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Tree planting campaigns (3 million seedlings earmarked for planting this season)
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Promotion of soil conservation measures in the farms
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Reseeding of denuded lands
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Promotion of water harvesting techniques
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Promotion of early land preparation and timely planting of crops
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Exploration of geothermal energy
Photos: Rivers Molo and Perkerra
Impact
Photos: Flooded road to Lake Bogoria geysers, loss of biodiversity;
Acacia trees, Flamingoes reduced populations
Photos: Soi Lodge and Roberts Camp flooded
Gullies at Kerio Valley Kui Kui Village
Plans for Action
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Baringo County has planned to increase its forest cover
of 29.9% through;
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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
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Investment in alternative energy sources - improved
cook stoves and biogas units
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Training of stakeholders; youth, women and charcoal
Producers associations
Plans for Action
 Soil erosion control through check dams, terracing and
gabions construction
 Building of dams and water pans and de-silting of old
ones
 Support in the provision of fertilizer for planting to
increase food security
 Support in relief food and water tankering
 Promotion of water harvesting techniques
 Promotion of early land preparation and timely planting
of crops
Plans for Action
Re-introduction of traditional high value
crops
 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.
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Plans for Action
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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 Action
Integration 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!