The Alliance for Science advocate for resilience and sustainable development in the Global South, Jackline Koin, has urged Kajiado farmers to plant grass, trees, and food crops.
Koin said the farmers should use the current rains in the region to ensure that their livestock have enough hay for use when the rains subside.
“The leaders in Kajiado region should educate their people on the need to reduce the number of their traditional livestock and keep animals of Improved breed,” Koin said.
Koin spoke to the Star on Sunday after touring parts of the region last week.
She said that the Alliance for Science is a global communications initiative dedicated to promoting access to scientific innovation as a means of enhancing food security, improving environment sustainability, and raising the quality of life globally.
She said that the Kajiado region being mostly a semi-arid land suffers greatly during droughts.
“For dairy farming, the venture should start from livestock feed formulation. This is a crucial skill for any serious dairy farmer,” she said.
The Alliance for Science expert said dairy goats are a great necessity for improved household nutrition.
“I am also advocating for each household in the region to have a kitchen garden where grey water can be used in areas that are water-stressed,” she said.
The expert claimed that the cutting of trees for charcoal in the Kajiado region has done more harm to environmental disintegration, and urged the government to put to a stop the ongoing felling of trees in Kajiado Central and the areas around Mailua.
The government and all the other actors, she said, should discourage excess harvesting of trees, charcoal burning, and soil health/erosion.
Expert Koin said Kajiado known for its vast landscapes, rich wildlife, and vibrant Maasai culture, has been experiencing the harsh realities of climate change.
As global temperatures rise and weather patterns become increasingly erratic, she said, the people of Kajiado are facing significant challenges that threaten their way of life and the environment they depend on for survival.
The effects of climate change in Kajiado are palpable in various aspects of daily life.
Prolonged droughts have become more frequent, leading to water scarcity and food insecurity, she said.
The Maasai people, Koin said, who rely on livestock farming for their livelihoods, find it increasingly difficult to sustain their herds as grazing lands dry up and water sources dwindle.
This has resulted in conflicts over scarce resources and a decline in the traditional way of life, the spokesperson of resilience said.
Moreover, the changing climate has also impacted the region’s biodiversity.
She said wildlife populations are dwindling as habitats shrink and food sources become scarce.
Species like the iconic Maasai giraffe and Grevy’s zebra are particularly vulnerable to these changes, putting the region’s unique ecosystems at risk.
In addition to environmental challenges, climate change in Kajiado has far-reaching social and economic implications, she said.
As communities struggle to cope with the effects of a changing climate, Koin said poverty levels rise, exacerbating existing inequalities and vulnerabilities.
Access to education, healthcare, and other essential services is compromised, further limiting the opportunities for sustainable development in the region.
Despite these challenges, Koin said, the people of Kajiado are not passive victims of climate change.
Community-led initiatives, such as water harvesting projects, reforestation efforts, and sustainable land management practices, are being implemented to build resilience and adapt to the changing climate.
Local leaders, organisations, and international partners are working together to find innovative solutions to mitigate the impacts of climate change and ensure a sustainable future for Kajiado.
Climate change poses a significant threat to the people, wildlife, and ecosystems of Kajiado.
The challenges faced by this region, she said, serve as a stark reminder of the urgent need for global action to address the root causes of climate change and support vulnerable communities in adapting to its impacts.
By working together and embracing sustainable practices, we can create a more resilient future for Kajiado and safeguard the beauty and biodiversity of this unique region for generations to come.
