NEMA maps out 12,300 wetlands nationwide for conservation

At least 12,300 wetlands have been mapped countrywide by the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA).

This follows President William Ruto's order last year that wetlands and water towers across the country should be secured and gazetted.

Environment Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale on Wednesday urged NEMA to keep updating the list of wetlands countrywide so that appropriate action can be undertaken.

"Continue mapping the wetlands because we have a mandate to protect them," he said.

The CS was speaking as he made his inaugural visit to NEMA headquarters in South C, Nairobi where he held a meeting with the Board of Directors, Management and staff where critical issues affecting the authority were discussed.

He was accompanied by the Permanent Secretary of the State Department of Environment and Climate Change, Dr Festus Ngeno.

On November 14, 2023, the Kenya Kwanza Government embarked on a journey to rehabilitate wetlands in the county after President Ruto declared all wetlands and water towers across the country would be secured and gazetted.

"We must change the face of our nation. We must have enough water, get rains in all seasons, have enough food production and leave behind a country for the next generation that is well conserved," he said during the National Tree Growing Day at Kiu Wetland in Makindu, Makueni County.

Ruto stated that 10,000 wetlands in Kenya must be protected from human activities such as settlement and destruction of trees.

Environment Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale during his inaugural visit to NEMA headquarters in South C, Nairobi on August 28, 2024. (Photo: Environment Ministry)

Wetlands as explained by Nature Kenya are amongst the most productive ecosystems on earth.

They provide water for daily use, soils for agriculture, fish for food, pasture for cattle and materials for construction.

Essential services

These unique ecosystems also provide essential services such as flood control, water filtration, protecting soil from erosion and carbon sequestration (removing carbon from the atmosphere and depositing it in a reservoir – in this case, in plants).

Going further, CS Duale stated that to enhance the operations of the Authority, he will fastrack the gazettement of 13 Environmental Management and Coordination Act (EMCA) regulations currently pending.

He also directed the NEMA to enhance its revenue collection to be able to cater for its operations and discharge optimal services to the public.

As the Designated National Authority (DNA) for Carbon markets, Duale called on the Board and the Management to critically register and diligently undertake the task as part of efforts to cope with climate change and meet the country's obligations as outlined in the Paris Agreement.

"NEMA must enforce the law to ensure the environment is protected and safeguarded. All facilities in the 47 Counties must be brought under compliance," the CS said.

Duale urged the County Directors of Environment to remove bottlenecks in the licensing process.

He also warned those discharging raw sewerage into Nairobi rivers.

The CS emphasised that NEMA must engage Nairobi City Water and Sewerage Company to ensure that raw sewer doesn't get into Rivers from burst sewer lines.

NEMA Vice Chairman Sophia Matura expressed the Authority's commitment to addressing various environmental-related challenges through the implementation of various environmental laws and partnerships.

The Director General, Mamo B. Mamo echoed the same sentiments noting that the Authority has made progress in enhancing environmental compliance through regular enforcement actions.