Camels have missed grass in the wilderness because of the current drought, attributed to destruction of natural environment, human activities, and weather changes.
In Isiolo, the animals are now town residents just like how cows have invaded Nairobi CBD.
While the pastoralists graze in town during the day in Wabera, Bullapesa and Kambi Garba areas ,the camels roam in town causing destruction of fences and decorative vegetations in near main hotels and recreational areas.
The destruction of heritage rights, private property and the mental stress experienced by the herder’s seeking pastures for their animal is a hard nut to crack for those pursuing the damage and compensation discussion in the larger climate change governance debate.
The mental anguish the herders are going through because of the drought and death of their animals against the losses the animals are causing to private property in the town presents challenges to those in the environmental protection area.
Camels are dear to the herders, but in grazing in private properties, they are interfering with property rights.
In addition, the human-wildlife conflict that had been contained in the area is raring its head again.
For over the last few weeks, elephants have visited many homes and the town in search of food.
Already there is tension between property owners and the herders in the area over the same.
I have seen cows in Nairobi town fighting for space on the road with vehicles. Grazing in town has become normal, and the city residents are also feeling the effects of drought.
This just shows how climate change knows no bounds, and if left unattended, we are going to see accelerated intra group conflicts in these regions.
Marsabit county is already volatile largely because of competition for natural resources especially water and grazing lands.
Already, counties in the region have seen destruction of community life and killing of the cultural heritage and economic life of communities including displacement, loss of lives, a wave of insecurity and destruction of property because of human activities.
Conflicts in the region blamed on animals invading private land/property have been frequent especially pitting herders against private investors.
Remember the discussions around the relationship between the many conservancies in the region and the community, in relation to conflicts in the area?
Given the effects of climate change, and loss of green pastures- grass and water- the pastoralists are also reluctant to reduce their herds
The County leadership in the area ought to prioritize dealing with this matter in the larger context of creating and implementing a climate change intervention, for the county faces a larger challenge of creating space for both animals and people.
With the passing of both the climate change Act 2106 and the Fisheries Management and Development Act 2015 and the subsequent policy frameworks, Kenya has made a statement on her commitment to pursue an economic growth and development model that ensures that natural assets are exploited responsibly.
Additionally, in Kenya, there are a number of laws and bills enacted to promote green growth and blue economies among them the Environmental Management and Coordination (Amendment) Act 2015, Vision 2030, Energy Act 2012 and Green Economic Strategy and Implementation Plan (GESIP) 2016-2030.
The banking sector, as a priority should support Government efforts in the achievement of the SDGs.
This can be done by offering incentives in the form of lower interest rates to developers of green growth compliant developments in manufacturing, innovations and construction.
Part of the Country’s path to the realization of the SDG 12 on responsible consumption and production is to promotes the principles of reduce, re-use and recycle.
Both Kenya’s Green Growth Economy Strategy and the recent Blue Economy Strategy paper are part of the country’s effort to actualize the larger circular economy principle, which is part of SDG 12 to which Kenya a signatory.
