By S, KNA
Threats of climate change are increasingly becoming evident affecting the rolling green landscapes of Nandi County, causing erratic rainfall, prolonged dry spells, shrinking water sources, and the slow degradation of fertile soils are disrupting farming cycles in a region that has long prided itself as a national food basket.
Yet amid these challenges, coordinated efforts between the Nandi County government and national authorities are rewriting the climate narrative, with elaborate interventions designed not just to protect the environment, but to secure livelihoods for generations to come.
Over the past five years, afforestation has emerged as one of the county’s flagship responses. According to Nandi County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Environment Dr. Mary Jepchirchir, more than 3.2 million tree seedlings have been distributed through schools, community groups, and faith-based institutions. Working hand in hand with the Kenya Forest Service (KFS), the county has overseen regeneration of forest cover in Tinderet and Nandi Hills, which officials estimate has improved county-wide forest cover from 25 percent in 2019 to 28 percent in 2025.
Soil conservation has also taken centre stage, as authorities recognize that land productivity lies at the heart of food security. Through partnerships with the Ministry of Agriculture, the county has promoted terracing, contour farming, and agroforestry across erosion-prone areas.
The Sub County Agricultural Officer (SCAO) for Tindiret, Samuel Kipkemboi, notes that at least 12,000 farmers have adopted soil-friendly practices in the past three years. “In Chesumei and Emgwen alone, maize yields have increased by about 18 percent since terraces and cover crops were introduced,” he explained.
Water conservation efforts have gained new urgency, with rivers such as Yala and Kipkaren facing diminishing flows. In response, the county has launched programmes to protect riparian reserves and rehabilitate catchments. More than 150 hectares of degraded riverbanks have been restored, while the national government, through the Ministry of Water and Irrigation, has drilled 45 boreholes and rehabilitated 20 community water projects. Officials estimate that these interventions have increased access to clean water by 22 percent in rural areas since 2021.
Renewable energy initiatives are also being advanced as part of climate mitigation. Nandi County, in partnership with the national government’s Climate Change Directorate, has promoted over 4,500 biogas units and distributed 10,000 energy-saving stoves. These efforts aim to reduce pressure on forests while providing cleaner cooking alternatives.
County Director of Energy, Eng. David Chumo, says women’s groups in Aldai and Kabiyet now spend 30–40 percent less time collecting firewood, freeing them for other income-generating activities.
In agriculture, climate-smart practices have been mainstreamed through the distribution of drought-tolerant crop varieties and training on integrated pest management. Chief Officer (CO)for Agriculture, Joseph Serem, confirmed that more than 8,000 farmers are now growing drought-tolerant maize, sorghum, and millet, alongside diversification into avocado and macadamia. This has cushioned households against losses, while creating new export opportunities, particularly for avocado, where annual production has risen to an estimated 15,000 metric tonnes countywide.
The county has also prioritized community involvement in its climate agenda. Environmental education campaigns have reached at least 60,000 students across schools, while over 200 youth groups have been funded under county climate grants for tree nurseries, waste management, and eco-business projects. Nandi Governor Stephen Sang has emphasized that climate action must be anchored in community ownership: “The battle against climate change will only be won if every household feels part of the solution.”
The national climate policies have been cascaded into county action plans, ensuring alignment with the Climate Change Act of 2016. National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) County Director, Vincent Mahiva, says enforcement against illegal logging and unregulated quarrying has been stepped up, with at least 75 illegal sites closed since 2022.
Additionally, the national government has financed climate resilience projects in Nandi under the Financing Locally-Led Climate Action (FLLoCA) programme, releasing more than Sh. 400 million for locally-identified interventions ranging from water harvesting to reforestation.
The impact of these interventions is becoming visible. Satellite imagery from KFS shows a 3 percent increase in forest cover over five years. Farmers in areas with soil conservation projects report better soil fertility and reduced flooding, while surveys show that households with access to clean water increased from 58 percent in 2020 to 71 percent in 2025.
However, these gains are accompanied by challenges, such as population growth and expanding farmland continue to exert pressure on ecosystems, and limited resources constrain the scaling up of some projects. This notwithstanding, the county officials emphasize that the interventions have laid a strong foundation for resilience. “We are not just fighting climate change; we are preparing our people to thrive in spite of it,” said Dr. Jepchirchir.
For farmers like, Esther Chepng’etich of Tindiret, the change is personal. “Before, my land used to wash away with the rains. Now with terraces and trees around the farm, I harvest enough maize and even have vegetables throughout the year,” she says with a smile. Such testimonies highlight the human face of policies and programmes that might otherwise appear abstract.
As the world grapples with climate crises, the story of Nandi underscores the importance of local actions aligned with national policies. From the hills to the plains, the county’s collective green push is steadily transforming landscapes and livelihoods. The fight against climate change here is not just about survival, it is about reclaiming a future of stability, abundance, and dignity.
END/Environment/Mwangi/Ngala
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Tree seedlings: The Nandi County government is collaborating with the national authorities to combat the effects of climate change in the region.
