SPEECH BY PROF. JUDI WAKHUNGU, CABINET SECRETARY MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, WATER AND NATURAL RESOURCES, DURING THE WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY CELEBRATIONS TO BE HELD AT MAASAI GIRLS SECONDARY SCHOOL, NAROK COUNTY, ON 5TH JUNE 2015 Governor, Narok County Hon Samuel Ole Tunai, Senator, Narok County Hon Stephen Ole Ntutu, Principal Secretary, MENR, Dr Richard Lesiyampe, Chairman NEMA Board of Management, Mr Maluki Mwendwa, NEMA Board of Management members present, Director General NEMA, Prof Geoffrey Wahungu, County Commissioner, Mr. Arthur Osiya, Vice Chancellor, Maasai Mara University, Prof, Mary K Walingo, Representatives of UN Agencies, Area Member of Parliament, Hon. Moitalel Ole Kenta, Principal, Maasai Girls Secondary School, Ms Ann Nyabuto, Heads of Government Institutions, All Local Leaders,

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Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,

I am delighted to join you today during this auspicious occasion to mark the World Environment Day (WED) 2015, a practice of the event conducted since 1972. The celebration is used to create awareness and educate the public on the importance of the environment, while appreciating the achievements made by diverse stakeholder’s environment during the year. Through these celebrations, we are able to document and recognize best practices, share lessons and experiences on sound environmental management. The celebrations of positive actions serve to renew our commitments and political goodwill towards sound environmental management at all levels. To date, it is reported that the event is observed in over 100 countries globally. The theme for this year’s event is, “Seven Billion Dreams. One Planet. Consume with Care”. The theme is focusing on the increasing global population which is currently estimated at seven billion people who draw their livelihoods from dwindling environmental resources. It further emphasizes the need to embrace sustainable exploitation of resources and live within the planet’s limits thus urging mankind to “Consume with Care”. The theme also underscores the importance of the environment as a common resource for all which provides livelihood to mankind and the need to safeguard it through our collective action and

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responsibility. We are reminded that we are the owners, users and protectors of the environment and so we must embrace sustainable interventions and actions that have a positive impact. I congratulate the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) for the precise interpretation of the theme that closely relates to our national circumstances. The slogan formulated as a rallying call for action dubbed; “Save it, or perish” could not have come at a better time. The slogan clearly reiterates our complete dependence on environmental resources to support livelihoods through provision of ecological goods and services. The subsequent destruction of the various ecosystems and natural resources could cause catastrophic effects some of which have already been witnessed in this country. The Kenyan population has been increasing steadily and now stands at about 42 million people. The population’s dreams, vision and expectations could be ruined in a situation where the environment can no longer sustain their livelihoods. It is worth noting that the Kenyan economy is largely dependent on agriculture and natural resources with about 80 per cent of the population living in the rural areas. Although the country is endowed with diverse ecosystems and is rich in biodiversity, the entire population is threatened by a failure to sustainably use and exploit resources alongside poor environment management. It is therefore not a luxury that we must “consume with care” in order to prevent environment degradation and actual depletion of resources. Ladies and Gentlemen,

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Narok County is home to important ecosystems such as the world famous Maasai Mara National Reserve, whose wildebeest migration is considered the 8th Wonder of the World. On the other hand, the Maasai Mau Forest block forms the source of Mara River that is the lifeline of the region’s millions of people. It is unfortunate that these ecosystems are under constant threat of depletion from human encroachment. This calls for concerted efforts by people of goodwill in order to conserve and sustainably use the resources. Our presence here today demonstrates the importance and recognition accorded to this region for its conservation efforts and contribution to the Kenyan economy. This further goes to honour the contribution of the Maa Community in upholding conservation as a way of life through strong cultural values which have resulted to invaluable contribution to environmental conservation. This event is therefore expected to trigger positive interventions and commitments for the environment from both national and county governments. We have seen exhibitions on environmental best practices and technologies which can be replicated while sharing our diverse lessons and experiences on sound environmental management. With the foregoing in mind, I urge all of us to put the lessons learnt today into practice in our dwelling places if we have to make a positive impact on the environment. In this direction, my ministry has put in place various policies and strategies that guide sound environmental management. The long awaited Environment Policy has since been reviewed to incorporate emerging environmental issues and subjected to wider stakeholder validation. Once enacted by parliament, the Policy will inform all sectors on their respective roles in ensuring sound environmental management. Ladies and Gentlemen,

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Kenya is experiencing adverse effects of climate change like other parts of the world. The sectors most affected include; environment, water and forestry among others. In severe cases of both flooding and drought, we have experienced loss of lives and property as well as destruction of infrastructure. We know that climate change is largely caused by unsustainable human activities that increase emissions of greenhouse gases causing global warming. Destruction of catchment areas has depleted forest cover leading to extreme soil erosion downstream and flash floods in areas downstream as was recently experienced here in Narok County. We shall continue to push the country’s agenda in the global negotiations in climate change where my Ministry represents the country and coordinates the implementation of resolutions agreed upon to address climate change in Kenya. Through NEMA, which is the technical arm of my Ministry for the implementation of policies and plans, we have provided environmental standards and procedures for the sound management of the environment. The framework law, Environmental Management & Coordination Act, of 1999 and the gazetted regulations have filled missing gaps for environment management. I am also happy to inform you that EMCA 1999 has been reviewed to align it with the Constitution of Kenya, 2010 and the areas that have over the time been found to require redress, have been amended while filling observed gaps. Once signed into law, the revised EMCA will provide a complete and up to date environmental management approaches which will move environmental management to the next level and guide the other sectoral laws on matters of Environment. Ladies and Gentlemen,

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Several challenges compromise sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources. As we know, poverty is a key contributor to unsustainable exploitation of our resources as communities strive to earn their livelihood. As such, the need to survive has taken precedence over conservation leading to rampant destruction of ecosystems through encroachment and unsustainable practices. Resource-use conflict has been on the rise due to increasing population and competition over the dwindling resources. The increased insecurity compromises environmental conservation. I therefore call upon my colleagues in the relevant sectors to work together to ensure peaceful coexistence among communities and equitable sharing of available resources. Additional utilities like boreholes, water pans and sand dams that increase water resources will serve the people well and enhance harmony among them. Ladies and Gentlemen, I appreciate the existence of diverse technologies, innovations and best practices in environmental management. However, there has been slow adoption and replication of these technologies in the Country which could have gone a long way in improving the quality of the environment and efficient use of resources. In this regard, my Ministry has stepped up environmental education and awareness strategies in order to promote the good practices and technologies. I call upon institutions of Higher Learning to undertake more innovative research aimed at producing practical solutions to local environmental challenges as well as appropriate and affordable technologies. As I conclude, our presence here today goes a long way to emphasise the need for collaboration of the National Government and the Narok County especially after the recent disaster that cost life and loss of property through flash floods.

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I wish to reiterate our commitment to join the locals in providing lasting solutions and interventions to environmental disasters afflicting this region. Further, I urge the County Government of Narok to fast track implementation of the immediate and short term measures and in particular the restoration of the Mau Ecosystem in order to prevent continued loss of lives and property. I thank you all for turning out in large numbers to commemorate World Environment Day 2015 in harmony with the global community. Let us use this forum as a turning point in taking collective action for the conservation of our environment and especially the Narok County as home to the Maasai Mara National Reserve, the Eighth Wonder of the World. Ladies and Gentlemen, It is now my honour and privilege, to wish all of you a happy World Environmental Day 2015 celebrations. THANK YOU