Makueni County Commissioner (CC) Duncan Darusi has urged stakeholders to adopt a collaborative, multi-agency strategy to tackle environmental challenges and mitigate climate change effects. Speaking during a sensitization workshop for the Makueni County Environment Committee (CEC) in Machakos Town, Darusi emphasized the importance of synergy among national and county government agencies and partners to avoid duplication of efforts.
“Climate change is real, and everyone must know their role to achieve tangible results,” Darusi stated, urging participants to leverage the workshop as a platform to develop lasting solutions for environmental concerns.
Draft Makueni County Environment Action Plan (CEAP) 2025-2029
The workshop, funded by the International Centre for Research in Agroforestry (ICRAF), introduced the draft Makueni County Environment Action Plan (CEAP) for 2025-2029.
Proposed Subcommittees
The County Executive for Lands, Urban Planning, and Environment, Japheth Mang’oka, outlined the formation of three subcommittees to oversee environmental coordination and compliance:
- Environmental Coordination, Implementation, and Reporting.
- Planning, Budgeting, and Resource Mobilization.
- Environmental Compliance, Oversight, and Monitoring.
These subcommittees will ensure proper resource mobilization, adherence to environmental regulations, and effective project implementation.
Mang’oka commended the Technical Working Group for drafting an actionable plan addressing issues such as degraded land restoration and solid waste management while considering both human and wildlife needs.
CEAP Priorities
The National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) Director for Makueni, Vincent Oloo Ochieng, highlighted that CEAP will prioritize:
- Solid waste management.
- Land restoration.
- Water and sanitation improvements.
The plan aligns with the Environmental Management and Coordination Act (EMCA), which mandates counties to formulate five-year plans addressing environmental priorities.
Public Engagement and Policy Launch
The National Drought Management Authority (NDMA) Makueni County Drought Coordinator, Alice Munyao, underscored the importance of inclusive public participation. Community members from all six sub-counties, county executive officials, and assembly members will be consulted to ensure the plan reflects diverse input.
The draft CEAP has already been unanimously adopted by the Environment Committee. Public engagements began on December 11, 2024, with the policy’s final launch expected by March 2025.
This collective effort aims to create a sustainable framework for managing Makueni’s environmental challenges while fostering resilience against climate change impacts.
