Lodwar, February 2, 2025 (Public Communications and Media Relations)
County Executive for Tourism, Culture, Natural Resources and Climate Change, Audan Leah Lokala, today led Turkana in marking the World Wetland Day.
The day is a UN annual calendar event to commemorate the Ramsar convention of 1971 on conservation and sustainable use of wetland resources.
This year’s event was commemorated under the theme, “Protecting wetlands for our common future”.
In a speech delivered by the CEC Audan Leah Lokala on behalf of Governor Jeremiah Lomorukai, the entire Lake Turkana belt, Turkwel and Kerio Rivers basins and the Lotikipi swamps were identified as key wetlands in the county supporting economic and livelihood activities related water provision, fishing and tourism value chains.
The Governor reiterated the need to boost conservation efforts by all stakeholders, urging the residents to support County’s efforts.
“The national event is currently underway at Ondiri Wetlands where the Government has reiterated it’s zero tolerance towards encroachment of wetlands,” CEC Audan said.
Additionally, the CEC advised the residents to continuously seek for guidance from environmental experts so as to maximize benefits from the wetlands.
“As a Government, we are aware of the threat posed by human activities and the invasive prosopis juliflora to our wetlands. We have put robust measures in place including climate smart technologies to mitigate against the degradation,” she said.
Assistant County Commissioner for Turkana Central, Andrew Mutuma, added that national government entities would work closely with the county and partners to boost conservation efforts.
The event was also attended and addressed by; Phoebe Ekali (Director for Enviroment), Pauline Pusiye (Ag Director for Natural resources) MCA Kanamkemer ward, James Ikeny and representatives of partners.
Various speakers drawn from development partners including Wetlands International, National Environment Management Authority, TUPADO, Kenya Forest Service, Kenya Foresty Research Institute, Kenya Wildlife Service, Kenya Maritime Authority, World Vision Kenya, LOKADO, Boma Project and Kenya Red Cross Society also emphasized the need to safeguard wetlands from further encroachment and degradation.
