Nyeri: The Nyeri County Government has introduced a draft policy document aimed at intensifying efforts to protect key wetland and riparian areas across its eight sub-counties. The Draft Wetlands and Riparian Lands Policy, currently under public review, seeks to address the challenges facing these crucial environmental zones and proposes potential solutions.
According to Kenya News Agency, the policy outlines guidelines and regulations for land use near wetlands to minimize negative impacts and promote sustainable resource use, including fisheries and timber. Additionally, it calls for the rehabilitation of degraded wetlands to restore their ecological functions and services.
Nyeri County, home to 49 permanent rivers and several wetlands primarily located in Mathira and Mukurweini, faces various challenges in managing these areas. The draft policy identifies 11 key issues, such as the absence of a prior policy framework and threats posed by climate change.
Fredrick Kinyua, the County's Water, Environment, and Climate Change CEC, announced a two-day public forum to gather resident feedback on the draft document. Scheduled for May 6 at Wambugu Farm Agricultural Training Center, the forum aims to solicit community input and recommendations for enhancing wetland conservation efforts amid changing climatic conditions. An additional engagement session via X space will target technocrats and younger generations.
The draft policy highlights inadequate coordination among agencies and a lack of public awareness as significant obstacles to conservation. To counter these, the County is implementing local regulations and community-based approaches, alongside contributions from non-governmental organizations.
County Climate Change Director Yvonne Mathenge emphasized the urgency of intervention measures, citing the recent drought's impact on rivers and cash crop yields as a call to action. The county plans to conduct a Participatory Climate Risk Assessment across its wards to identify risks and develop mitigation strategies.