WORLD DAY TO COMBAT DESERTIFICATION 2018

Desertification is the degradation of land in arid, semi-arid and dry sub-humid areas. It is caused primarily by human activities and climatic variations. Desertification does not refer to the expansion of existing deserts. It occurs because dryland ecosystems, which cover over one third of the world‘s land area, are extremely vulnerable to overexploitation and inappropriate land use. Poverty, political instability, deforestation, overgrazing and bad irrigation practices can all undermine the productivity of the land. In Kenya, 80% of the land is classified under Arid and Semi- Arid.

Every year on 17th of June, the world celebrates the world day to combat desertification and drought. Theme “Land has true value – invest in it” the purpose of this World Day is to promote public awareness of land degradation and to draw attention to the implementation of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD). To maximize its impact, the UNCCD Secretariat invites all States, civil society organizations, international and non-governmental organizations and other stakeholders to draw attention to land issues and educate the public about effective methods of achieving Land Degradation Neutrality through the publication and diffusion of documentaries and the organization of conferences, round-table meetings, seminars and expositions relating to international cooperation to combat desertification and the effects of drought....

In Kenya the World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought is organized by NEMA through its national steering committee, who invites the chief guest and other stake holders to mark the day. This day is observed every year to promote public awareness of international efforts to combat desertification. The day is a unique moment to remind everyone Kenyan that land degradation neutrality is achievable through problem-solving, strong community involvement and co-operation at all levels of the country.

The 2018 World Day to Combat Desertification was celebrated at Oldonyonyokie Primary School in Magadi, Kajiado County. The chief quest was Cabinet Secretary for Environment and Forestry, Keriako Tobiko. The event was attended by Permanent Secretary, ministry of environment and forestry, Charles Sunkuli, Deputy Governor, Martin Moshisho, NEMA board of management chairman, John Konchellah, Board of directors, Director General Prof. Geoffrey Wahungu and management team, area elected leaders and a host of other dignitaries and other stakeholders.

1 st Day 15 th June 2018

Kenyatta University students’ also graced the occasion. The University bus left the University compound around 8.00 a.m went through Mombasa road and stopped at kitengela where the students had some refreshments before proceeding to Namanga town near the Kenya Tanzanian border. This was the first day of the trip and was purely an academic trip and slept in Namanga town.

2 nd Day 16 th June 2018

They left Namanga town at 8.00 a.m and travelled to Keserian town for a clean-up activity specifically the plastic bags which littered the town. This was community based activity of creating awareness on the effect of plastic bags on the environment and took around 6 hours. The students later slept in a hotel in Kiserian town.

3 rd Day 17 th June 2018

This was the D-Day and students woke up very early and left Kiserian town for magadi at 7.00.am to join the other participants in the celebrations to mark the world day to combat desertification. They arrived in Oldonyonyokie Primary School in Magadi an hour later. The event was flagged off and the students lead the procession to mark the day. After several speeches given by the chief guest and other invited guests the participants preceded to plant trees were around 1000 tree seedlings were

planted. Later there was a luncheon at Oldonyonyokie Primary School courtesy of the county Government of Kaijado. A vote of thanks was given and the students left back to the university.

KU- Kunec students participate in a procession to mark the world’s desertification day in Magadi

KU- Kunec students participate in a procession to mark the world’s desertification day in Magadi Kajiado County

KU- Kunec students participate in a procession to mark the world’s desertification day in Magadi Kajiado County

KU- Kunec students prepare to plant a tree to mark world’s desertification day in Magadi Kajiado County

Acknowledgement

Kenyatta University

Dean School of Environmental Studies

Safaricom, Ministry of Environment and Forestry (NEMA) and other stake holders

County Government of Kwale

Administrative Assistant

Kenyatta University KUNEC club members