Speaking to Liberal News Network, Susan Omenyo, an agronomist and African Food Fellow, shared her remarkable story during the African Food Fellowship graduation in Nairobi. With over a decade of experience working with smallholder farmers, Omenyo is now partnering with women farmers in semi-arid and arid regions of West Pokot to restore degraded lands. Her work focuses on creating tree nurseries and reintroducing native tree species to the region, especially in areas heavily dominated by acacia trees.

“Currently, I’m working on a project in West Pokot. The lands have degraded, and soils have eroded. I am working with women farmers to establish tree nurseries and native tree species,” said Omenyo. “I’m helping ensure they are getting good seedlings to restore the region.”

However, one of the biggest challenges is deforestation, driven by the local need for charcoal. Omenyo and her team are working hard to change mindsets, introducing alternative income sources like honey production, which offers both environmental and economic benefits. By providing beehives and encouraging the cultivation of medicinal plants, wild fruits, and fodder crops, the initiative is helping the community to move away from destructive practices and toward a sustainable future.

“We’re also providing beehives to enable them to produce more honey, which they can process and sell. This creates a reliable source of income,” Omenyo explained. Additionally, they plan to grow pastures and fodder crops to sell to dairy and livestock farmers, providing further economic opportunities.

Water scarcity is another pressing issue in the region. Omenyo and her team are partnering with local stakeholders to address this. “Water is a challenge in the southern part of West Pokot. We plan to dig a well and organize a group to manage it properly, ensuring it lasts and serves the community for a long time.”

The vision Omenyo and the women farmers share is to build a future where environmental stewardship supports economic development. Through this partnership, the community of West Pokot is forging a resilient path forward.

During the graduation ceremony, keynote speaker Professor Ruth Oniang’o, a renowned figure in African agriculture, urged the Fellows to take up leadership roles and continue their transformative work. Oniang’o, further stated  that the group of food systems leaders gives her hope for the future of agriculture in Kenya.

In her closing remarks, she said, “I encourage you to lead with confidence and embrace different perspectives to make a positive impact.”

The African Food Fellowship, which graduated its third cohort of 29 Kenyan Fellows, is a 10-month leadership program designed to empower participants with the skills, knowledge, and networks needed to transform food systems in their regions. The impact of these initiatives, like the one in West Pokot, is a powerful testament to how local leadership can tackle global challenges like climate change while uplifting communities.

“The research findings are compelling,” said Chiagozie Udeh, a representative from UNFPA Geneva, during the training. “They demonstrate a clear link between SRHR and climate change, with the specific intersectionality varying significantly across different countries. Climate change and SRHR are undeniably intertwined, with the specific challenges women face varying greatly depending on where they live.”

This “intersectionality,” as Udeh termed it, was further emphasized by Emmanuel Lekishon, one of the Directors of the Centre for Climate Action, who pointed to the plight of young girls and women in Narok County, Kenya.

“Girls and young women, particularly those from Narok County face unique challenges due to the interplay of climate change and gender inequality,” noted Lekishon while presenting the disproportionality of climate shocks.

Additionally, Dr. Samwel Wakibi a public health researcher and regional expert from the University of Nairobi highlighted that the recent climate shocks in Kenya have made it challenging for women to access reproductive health services.
Dr. Wakibi said that pre-existing gender norms coupled with unfavorable climate change further tilted the  socio-economic marginalization imbalances  while exacerbating gender inequalities.

Speaking on the same issue, Angela Baschiera said, “Women are disproportionately impacted by climate change. There is a rich body of resources that women have poorer access to resources that could help with the adaptation such as land title, irrigation, and financial assets.”

Currently, only 37% of 160 countries recognize that women and men have equal rights to own and control land. The most impacted population should be the cost involved in creating solutions.

The training further underscored the critical role of gender equality in achieving the vision of human-centered sustainable development outlined by the International Conference on Population and Development Programme of Action (ICPD PoA).

The training also identified specific “hotspots” within Kenya, areas most vulnerable to the combined threats of climate change and gender inequality. Armed with this knowledge, future efforts to adapt could be designed to ensure no woman or girl is left behind in the fight for a brighter tomorrow.

The unprecedented downpour has ripped through River Nyando, a vital artery in Kisumu County. Over 800 acres of land have been swept away, leaving behind a trail of loss and damage. Homes are marooned, businesses are in tatters, and families are separated.

Speaking to Liberal News Network, a distraught resident near the river painted a grim picture. “This is the time things have gotten out of hand,” he lamented. “I don’t know where my family is. Our houses are underwater, businesses are destroyed. We can’t stay here tonight.”

The relentless water has shown no mercy, taking not only homes and businesses but also innocent lives. Local residents report that a significant number of animals have been swept away in the current.

The desperation is palpable as residents decry relentlessly.

“We need permanent solutions to the flooding situation,” residents cried out. “We haven’t seen any response, but we hope our Member of Parliament will help us get through this trying time.”

Kenya’s National Disaster Management Agency faces a monumental task. The country is reeling from weeks of torrential rain, and River Nyando’s plight is just one piece of a much larger puzzle. Urgent action is necessary to rescue those displaced, provide shelter and essential supplies, and begin the long road to rebuilding lives and communities.

The international community is watching closely, with many local and grassroot organizations already offering support. However, the scale of the crisis demands a unified and robust response to help Kenya weather this storm and emerge stronger.

Opposition leader are  requesting the incumbent government to declare the floods a national disaster and they hope President Ruto will heed to the cause.

Despite facing regional and international instability, Kenya leaped foward, receiving nearly USD $600 million in UN support throughout 2023. This funding proved instrumental in tackling unprecedented challenges like the El Niño floods, where over 450,000 people received life-saving assistance. The UN also partnered with the Government of Kenya during food shortages, with nearly 10 million benefiting from vital food programs and malnutrition initiatives.

Beyond immediate needs, the UN-Kenya partnership yielded long-term benefits which will hopefully be realized in the course of 2024.

Notably, Kenya co-hosted a pivotal Africa Climate Summit, resulting in the impactful “Nairobi Declaration,” which is now a roadmap for tackling climate change. Similarly, UN support for the Youth Connekt Africa Summit underscored a shared vision that is inclusive of Africa’s young population.

Additionally, Kenya is also breaking new ground with the world’s first Development Impact Bond for adolescent health. This innovative program has already empowered over 82,000 young girls with sexual and reproductive health services, and has potential to impact over half a million in the long run.

Challenges and Shifting Landscapes

Kenya’s growth trajectory towards middle-income status presents a unique opportunity to analyze the decoupling of traditional Official Development Assistance (ODA) from long-term development. Despite positive economic indicators, the decline in ODA raises concerns about its potential impact on sustaining growth.

UN Resident Coordinator Dr. Stephen Jackson acknowledges this shift as a potential game-changer for Kenya’s development path. However, he underscores the importance of a unified approach, stating, “While celebrating progress, a unified approach is crucial.

Markedly a significant fraction of the 2023 UN budget for Kenya was directed towards achieving the UN’s goal of ending hunger (SDG 2) (Zero Hunger). This highlights the potential threat that food security, particularly in the context of ongoing climate change, poses to Kenya’s projected progress.

Dr. Jackson also acknowledged of a possibility of diminishing funding stating, “Not as much co-funding trickles down from New York,” but,  reassured that there is a possibility for the new development in Kenya to be realized through joint programming.”

Apart from monetary aid uncertainties, Kenya faces additional challenges. In a video presentation, Dr. Medhin Tsehaiu of UNAIDs, highlighted the “triple effect” – interlocking vulnerabilities faced by Kenyan girls and young women during crises. This challenge translates to increased economic insecurity (poverty), heightened risk of HIV/AIDS acquisition, and a surge in gender-based violence (GBV). These issues could  further complicate Kenya’s development journey.

A Model for Collaboration

The UN’s continued commitment to Kenya, through multi-stakeholder partnerships, embodies the “no one is left behind” principle. This collaborative approach aligns with the economic ideal of inclusive growth. Interestingly, a Finnish representative highlighted Kenya’s potential as a “fantastic laboratory for development,” recognizing its progress as a model for other developing economies.

However, the Kenyan-UN partnership must adapt to Kenya’s changing needs. As the nation transitions to a middle-income economy by 2026, resource allocation will likely shift. The nature of the partnership itself may need to evolve to prioritize different aspects of the UN Sustainable development cooperation framework for Kenya 2022-2026.

Heilu Ward, located in Moyale sub-county, Marsabit County in northern Kenya, greeted us with a cacophony of braying donkeys and the clanging of jerrycans. Curiosity drew us towards the noise, leading us to a nearby water point where the animals were gathered.

At the dam’s entry, security guards told us that everybody was required to pay five Kenyan shillings for a 20-liter jerry can for locals and 10 Kenyan shillings for Ethiopians, the buyers later sold the water in Moyale town at 100 Kenya shillings per 20 litre jerrycan.

Out of curiosity, I peeped inside the dam to see how locals were fetching the water, and to my shock, the water was visibly unfit for human consumption.

Fatuma Dalle, a 42-year-old mother of six, villager, confirmed our fears. “The water is dirty, but we have no choice,” admitted Dalle while explaining how the lack of donkeys only worsened their plight.

Dalle spoke through a translator, a middle-aged man, who, decoded her Borana dialect.

Dalle admitted that, “The lack of proper water storage forced the residents to rely on rainwater which unfortunately was shared with wildlife and was often made dirty hence unfit for human consumption.”

“Before the dam was built, we used to trek for over five kilometers to look for water but since the dam was established through efforts of community members around Heilu ward, we have been relieved from the burden of walking for long distances. We water vendors have taken the initiative of employing two security guards to watch over the water from being contaminated by wild animals,” explained Dalle.

The water business was booming in the area as the vendors bought a 20-litre jerry can for five shillings and sold it for 100 shillings in the town.

Strategically located at the Kenya-Ethiopia border, Heilu Water Point served as a meeting point for communities from both sides. Ethiopians and residents from other wards paid a premium for the life-sustaining liquid.

Accordingly, Dalle admitted that the water business enabled her to fend for her family and even pay school fees for her six children. She remained optimistic and hopes that with time she will manage to buy more donkeys and expand her business.

Heilu Manyatta ward is a central point for donkey vaccination

A team from Africa Network for Animal Welfare (ANAW) in partnership with the County government of Marsabit in Moyale Sub-county partnered to vaccinate donkeys in Heilu and Banisa wards, targeting the dam site because of its central point for the beasts of burden.

As we strolled by the water point, a man named Abdi Dida caught our eye. He was arranging a row of bright yellow jerrycans to collect water. Despite his busy schedule, he stopped to share his approach to caring for his loyal donkeys.

“I rely on Ethiopians to look after them,” Dida explained. “They come from the neighboring country, and work from dawn to dusk.”

He went on to detail their employment terms, noting, “They receive a monthly salary ranging from Ksh. 2,000 to Ksh. 3,000, depending on the size of my donkey herd.”

The 48 year old said that most of them sought Ethiopians to enable them to engage in other activities and their children to go to schools without being troubled by having to graze their cattle.

“We share one market with the Ethiopians so in case anyone wants to buy a donkey it is never a problem. There are Kenyan men there who help with negotiation and even act as witnesses during the purchasing process,”  explained Dida .

Dida who had been in the business for more than 20 years mentioned that one of the major challenges that the community faced was the inability to identify their donkeys in a herd when they got lost.

Dida also highlighted the challenges of identifying lost animals, he said, “We simply observe the direction from where the animal is coming from to tell if it is from Manyatta or Ethiopia. Ethiopian donkeys have dark body marks while the Kenyan ones have tattoo on the ears or use physical marks which at times resemble.”

Dida also revealed that the donkey  owners only embark on a two-month search mission before giving up completely.

Inter- county transfer of donkeys a threat to the animals

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“This village bore witness to the  crackdown of slaughterhouses,” recounted Doctor Dennis Bahati, a Programs Manager from ANAW. “Illegal cross-border movements left numerous donkeys vulnerable to theft.”

We approached the water point with cautious steps with tension unfolding from a distance, mindful of the animals’ skittish nature.

Two middle-aged men gently restrained a donkey by its ears, signaling for the removal of the metal grille from its back to facilitate the procedure. Nearby, a veterinarian poised with needle in hand awaited the opportune moment, ready to administer the vaccine.

The metal grilles, once laden with water from the dam, served as makeshift supports for jerry cans.

Once the donkey grew calm, the vet swiftly injected the vaccine into its neck, withdrawing before the animal could detect any threat.

Dr. Bahati reflected on ANAW’s efforts since their arrival in 2021 to collaborate with Moyale sub-county and border patrol to bolster the security of these endangered creatures. “We’ve uncovered numerous welfare issues demanding attention,” he acknowledged.

“In recent weeks,” he continued, “we’ve witnessed a surge in illegal donkey movements across the Kenya-Ethiopia border. These unsuspecting animals venture into areas known as hotspots for donkey bush slaughter, posing a significant threat.”

Hassan Guyo, an official from the Marsabit County Department of Livestock and Veterinary Service overseeing the vaccination, confirmed that at least 400 donkeys had received treatment that day.

Guyo conceded to the prevalence of illegal cross-border donkey movement in the area over the past three months.

“It was reported that eight to ten lorries, transporting between 4000 to 6000 donkeys, crossed from the Moyale border to unknown destinations, leading to an increase in bush slaughter cases in areas like Naivasha,” Guyo disclosed.

However, there was a glimmer of hope in February 2024, when African heads of state and government collectively agreed to ban donkey slaughter for their skin, a measure aimed at protecting the continent’s 33 million donkeys.

Despite this progress, Guyo emphasized lingering legal loopholes that needed addressing to ensure the animals’ security.

“Donkey slaughter may be banned, but there remains a loophole allowing for their movement,” Guyo explained. “Traders exploit this gap, transporting animals to destinations for bush slaughter.”

He called upon the government and advocacy groups to take decisive action to ban the movement and slaughter of donkeys entirely.

Guyo expressed optimism in the potential of a donkey identification and traceability system to aid in the recovery of stolen animals in the event of large-scale theft.