On wetlands conservation, the State must stop the talk and act decisively

Today is World Wetlands Day. Wetlands play a key role in sustaining ecosystems by ensuring water supply is uninterrupted. As Kenyans join global citizens in marking the day, the big question is whether we have sufficiently protected our wetlands. Only this week on Thursday, did the Environment Cabinet secretary declare intention to gazette the Ewaso Narok Wetland, which is the source of Ewaso Nyiro River, that sustains life in the semi-arid northern rangelands of Laikipia, Isiolo, Samburu and Wajir counties.

It is also ironical that the celebrations will be held in Rumuruti, just a few kilometres from the wetland. This small dusty town is the headquarters of Laikipia County. Once the county moves to Rumuruti, there will be urbanisation, which is the first threat to the yet to be protected wetland. Does the county have an integrated physical development plan? If there is none, then this is a recipe for trouble finding its way northward. This could be a failure by the national and county governments, which have all of a sudden woken up to brewing trouble over the water resource.