The State department for Irrigation and the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has embarked on strong collaboration to ensure that the country has a Land Reclamation Policy, 2023 and Land Reclamation Bill, 2023.

This will help guide the country towards halting land degradation, reclaim degraded land and provide a framework for sustainable use of land as a natural resource.

The Principal Secretary, State Department for Irrigation Mr. Ephantus Kimotho during the workshop highlighted that land as a natural resource should be sustainably utilized for food security emphasizing that land reclamation is recognized as a Nature Based Solution to drought.

He added that workshop was timely to help develop regulations to guide rehabilitation and reclamation and put measures in place for sustainable management of reclaimed lands while considering gender inclusion and community financing amongst other issues.

The policy will facilitate sustainable reclamation of degraded lands and secure land degradation neutrality for food and water security, environmental sustainability and socio-economic development. Also, it would also help identify drivers of land degradation to drive the country toward land degradation neutrality.

Innocent Kabenga, IUCN Regional Head, Land Systems and Country Representative, highlighted the strong partnership that the organization is fostering with institutions aligned with its vision and mandate.

IUCN objective is providing public, private and non-governmental organizations with the knowledge and tools that facilitate human progress, economic development and nature conservation simultaneously.

 Mr. Kabenga highlighted that the proposed Policy is necessary to define the scope of land reclamation and land degradation neutrality, fill existing policy, legislative and institutional gaps, provide guidance to efforts to prevent land degradation from human and natural factors.

“IUCN is keen to continue working with the Ministry not only to support the finalization of the policy and accompanying Bill but also to implement critical actions that will enhance the resilience of the communities that rely directly on land for their survival”,  Mr. Kabenga added.  

The workshop was attended by senior officers from Ministry of Water, Sanitation and Irrigation; Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN); National Drought Management Authority; and representatives from Council of Governors, MDAs, Universities, and technical experts.