Government and IOM Explore Joint action on Environmental Impact On Human Mobility

Forestry Principal Secretary Gitonga Mugambi held a consultative meeting with a delegation from the International Organization for Migration (IOM) to explore collaborative approaches to addressing the environmental impact of human mobility and displacement in Kenya.

The IOM team outlined its ongoing interventions aimed at mitigating the environmental effects of refugee movements, noting that climate change continues to be a major driver of displacement. The delegation emphasized the importance of strengthening ecosystem resilience to sustain livelihoods for displaced populations while supporting timely and informed decision-making.

The agency highlighted its collaboration with state and non-state actors in vulnerable regions, including Turkana County, Garissa County, and the Mandera Triangle. These efforts focus on integrating environmental conservation into humanitarian response frameworks.

Among the key programmes presented were climate-smart agriculture initiatives, livelihood support through fruit tree planting, and the provision of energy-saving briquettes to refugees in Kakuma Refugee Camp and Dadaab Refugee Complex.

PS Mugambi reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to environmental restoration under the national 15 billion tree growing initiative. He noted that increased human settlement in host communities has contributed to deforestation and land degradation, underscoring the need for coordinated and sustainable interventions.

The meeting also reviewed key policy and management frameworks, including the Prosopis Management Strategy, the National Agroforestry Strategy, and the Commercial Forest Development Strategy.

Discussions further explored the promotion of high-value tree species suitable for arid and semi-arid lands, such as date palms and Boswellia, as well as other gum and resin-producing species. The meeting also addressed regulatory considerations under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) to support the propagation of sandalwood.

Also in attendance were Forest Development Secretary George Tarus, Jesse Owino, Assistant Director James Mutua, and IOM Kenya Programme Coordinator Yujin Park.