The Nairobi Declaration on fertilizer and soil health was arrived at with a commitment to triple domestic production and distribution of certified quality organic and inorganic fertilizers by 2034 to improve access and affordability
By Peter Ngare Carbon credits and other market-based approaches to conserve forests have failed to stop the destruction of trees and alleviate poverty, a new report by the International Union of Forest Research Organizations (IUFRO) shows. This comes at a time when carbon markets are projected to grow into a multi-billion-dollar industry as corporations increasingly turn to credits to meet their net-zero climate targets. But there are growing concerns about how much of that revenue poor communities might expect to see, with unscrupulous actors accused of exploitation. “Market-based approaches may be appealing to policymakers but would not be a solution without also addressing the broader economic and governance challenges around forest management,” says the report’s lead author, Constance McDermott from the University of Oxford President William Ruto has called Africa’s carbon sinks an “unparalleled economic goldmine” that could generate billions of dollars every year. However, the IUFRO findings from a study conducted across 120 countries have found that trade and finance-driven initiatives such as carbon credits are making limited progress to stop deforestation and, in some cases, have led to more poverty. “The evidence does not support the claim of win-wins or triple wins for environment, economy, and people…Rather our cases show that poverty and forest loss both are persistent across different regions of the world,” contributing author Maria Brockhaus from the University of Helsinki told AFP. The report says that those involved in market-driven initiatives are more interested in short-term profits than long-term and sustainable forest governance. The report said a $120 million project in the Democratic Republic of Congo had “reinforced entrenched interests” by restricting local people from forests without addressing logging by powerful businesses. In Malaysia, indigenous groups, who were promised better livelihoods from a foreign-backed plantation venture on their customary land received no benefit. In Ghana, deforestation rates have risen despite a lot of sustainable cocoa standards, corporate pledges, and carbon offset projects, while farmers are earning less today than decades ago. According to McDermott, green trade policies imposed by wealthy countries, like the EU’s ban on imports linked to deforestation, might look good but do not consider the knock-on effects on affected communities such as coffee and tea farmers in Kenya or cocoa farmers in Ghana and Ivory Coast.
By Bernard Gitau Floods claim 169 lives, displaces 30,000 households in Kenya A total of 169 people have died due to the floods across the country, the government has said. According to the Ministry of Interior and Coordination of National Government, the country has continued to experience a devastating flood calamity occasioned by the heavy rains. “A total of 169 lives have been lost due to the floods. Notably, the mudslide in Mai Mahiu claimed 46 lives; Garissa reported 4 lives lost while Sindo, Homay Bay, reported another 4 fatalities,” the Ministry said. Those injured stand at 102 across the country with 91 missing Mai Mahiu accounting for 53 and Garissa has reported 16 missing. The Ministry has also pointed out that Nairobi, Tana River, West Pokot, Homa Bay, Nakuru and Murang’a are the most affected counties in the last 24 hours. “30,099 households have been displaced affecting approximately 150,495 individuals. In Sindo and Homa Bay, a total of 161 households have been displaced,” added the Ministry. The Ministry has added a total of 190,942 individuals have been affected by these natural disasters. With a total of 91 people missing, the government has announced the rescue, search and retrieval operations particularly in Nakuru due to the recent mudslide and have rescued 23 people in Garissa. With roads, bridges and other infrastructure destroyed, the government has termed the loss as unquantifiable.
The devastating impact of ongoing rains in Kenya continues to reverberate as tragedy struck early Monday morning, with more than 40 lives lost after a storm water blew through a clogged tunnel under the railway.
By Wanja Mwaniki & Neville Ng’ambwa The Kenya Meteorological Department has issued a stern warning to citizens as heavy downpours continue to wreak havoc across the nation, leading to widespread flooding in numerous regions. Taking to its social media platforms, the Department outlined a forecast indicating that the heavy rains are expected to persist in several key areas, including the Central Highlands, Western Kenya, Rift Valley, South-eastern lowlands, Coast, North-eastern, and North-western Kenya. Despite the deluge, some regions are experiencing unusually high daytime temperatures, with mercury levels soaring beyond 30°C. Counties such as Turkana, Marsabit, Mandera, Wajir, Isiolo, Garissa, Tana River, Lamu, Kilifi, Mombasa, and Kwale are particularly affected, presenting a unique challenge amid the prevailing weather conditions. On Tuesday, a dramatic rescue operation unfolded in Tana River County when Kenya Red Cross first responders, in conjunction with the local community, sprang into action to save 51 stranded occupants of a bus. The vehicle had become trapped by swiftly rising waters near Arer, close to Tulla village. Thanks to the swift response, all passengers were successfully rescued, with two boats dispatched to ferry them to safety. The situation remains dire in many parts of the country, with reports of flooding continuing to pour in. Government agencies like the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) have issued cautionary advisories to motorists, urging them to exercise vigilance while navigating waterlogged roads. Notably, the Nairobi-Garissa road has been severed by floods, prompting KeNHA personnel to deploy to the affected areas to initiate repairs and restore accessibility. In light of the ongoing crisis, numerous organizations have stepped up to provide guidance on how to mitigate risks and ensure safety during this tumultuous period. The Red Cross, in particular, has emphasized the peril of attempting to cross floodwaters either on foot or in vehicles, highlighting the inherent dangers posed by seemingly shallow water levels. As the country grapples with the dual challenges of heavy rainfall and soaring temperatures, the concerted efforts of emergency responders, community members, and government agencies remain paramount in safeguarding lives and minimizing the impact of inclement weather conditions.
Kajiado Governor Joseph Ole Lenku has called upon the Tanzanian government and and the East African Legislative Assembly to take swift action and avert further permits on hunting.
Nairobi County has emerged as a leader in the food wastage index, with each resident squandering at least 8 kilograms of food monthly, as unveiled by the UNEP Food Waste Index Report 24. This translates to an average of 100 kilograms of various foods contributed annually by each Nairobian.
According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), in 2022, at least 783 million people faced hunger, while millions of meals went to waste globally. This stark reality underscores the urgent need to address the issue of food waste
Seaweed farming quickly gained momentum in coastal Kenya, transforming livelihoods and empowering women like Fatuma. Today, over 600 farmers from five coastal communities actively engage in commercial seaweed cultivation, marking a significant shift from traditional fishing practices.
Trashion Kenya, an initiative conceived by Habiba Abdulrahman, made its mark in Dubai on Sunday, preceding the annual celebration of Global Recycling Day on March 18th. Through captivating displays, Habiba highlighted how waste can be ingeniously repurposed into fashionable garments, challenging conventional notions of sustainability in the fashion industry.
