Kajiado steps up efforts to eliminate dangerous weed

Kajiado County CECM in-charge of environment Michael Semera, (center) and county Chief officer James Ngugi, showing a group of Maasai women grass seeds that are to be planted to reclaim the county's vast grazing lands from the invasive Ipomea weed, a menace that has ravaged thousands of acres of pasture, threatening the livelihoods of pastoral communities. [PETERSON GITHAIGA/Standard] Kajiado County is making a bold move to reclaim its vast grazing lands from the invasive Ipomoea weed, which has devastated thousands of acres of pasture and threatened the livelihoods of pastoral communities. Under the Financing Locally-Led Climate Action (FLLOCA) programme, the county's Department of Environment and Climate Change has launched a comprehensive sensitisation campaign to empower farmers to reclaim their land. The Sh200 million initiative focuses on reintroducing high-quality pasture species, reversing the damage caused by the fast-spreading Ipomoea, and restoring the grazing ecosystem crucial to Kajiado's pastoral economy. Governor Joseph Ole Lenku has reaffirmed the county's commitment to equipping communities with practical solutions to mitigate the adverse effects of climate change and environmental degradation. "Our pastoral lands are the backbone of our economy, and we cannot afford to let them be overrun by invasive species. Through this re-seeding programme, we are restoring not just pasture but also hope for our herders," said the governor. The re-seeding initiative aligns with one of Kajiado's core development pillars-Modulated Pastoralism-which aims to enhance sustainable livestock farming by improving pasture availability and resilience to climate shocks. Experts have noted that replacing Ipomoea-dominated fields with nutrient-rich pasture will help farmers sustain healthier livestock, increase milk and meat production, and ultimately boost the county's economy. Local farmers and community leaders have welcomed the initiative, recognising it as a much-needed intervention against a weed that has long choked fields and drained resources. Through county-led training sessions, farmers have learned effective pasture rehabilitation techniques, ensuring that the fight against Ipomoea is not just reactive but sustainable in the long term. "This initiative is not just about land restoration-it is about securing a future where Kajiado's pastoralists can thrive, livestock can flourish, and the county remains a beacon of resilience and sustainable development in the face of climate challenges." The programme includes sensitising herders on uprooting the weed and distributing improved Maasai love grass ahead of the April rains. At least 100 pastoral families have already received grass seeds through the ambitious re-seeding programme, which aims to counter the widespread loss of pasture due to the invasive Ipomoea. According to the County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Environment, Michael Semera, the county has set up two demonstration farms in Imaroro and Matapato to showcase the initiative. Semera noted that the re-seeding project is among several county programmes funded by the World Bank under FLLOCA, in collaboration with the county's Environment Department. "For the last three days, farmers have been uprooting the weed in the demonstration farms, earning Sh1,000 per day. The sensitisation campaign aims to empower the Maa community to reclaim their land," said Semera during a seed distribution event in Emaroro on Sunday. According to County Chief Officer James Ngugi, the programme prioritises the reintroduction of high-quality pasture species, reversing the damage caused by Ipomoea, and restoring grazing fields. During the seed distribution event, local residents expressed relief, saying the initiative was long overdue. "This weed has cost us a lot. It has invaded half of my land, and I have no pasture for my livestock. I had no choice but to consider moving, not knowing where to go. However, with this initiative, I will uproot the weed and use the seeds to reclaim my pasture," said a jubilant Rapas Ole Kida. Residents have also lived in fear, as their children risk consuming honey from the plant, which can cause drowsiness and, in high quantities, serious health effects. Patrick Memusi, a livestock farmer from Mashuuru in Kajiado East, said the weed had spread rapidly, destroying acres of pasture, forcing him to buy livestock feed. "I have no grass on my 40-acre farm. The weed spread quickly when the rains started. We are appealing to the county government to intervene before it wipes out all the grass," said Memusi. Kajiado Central is the most affected area, with county government statistics showing that Ipomoea has occupied at least 45% of pasture land. In response, the county government declared the weed a county disaster in 2024, underscoring the urgency of tackling the crisis before it escalates further.

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