The County Government of Kajiado has launched the Kajiado County Climate Change Policy paper 2026 and the Kajiado County Water Policy 2024 to provide a strategic framework for sustainable water resource management, climate action, environmental conservation and improved service delivery.
The policies are expected to strengthen the county’s response to climate change while reaffirming its commitment to building a resilient and sustainable future.
The launch was presided over by Kajiado Deputy Governor Martin Moshisho during a ceremony held at the Department of Water Services, Environment, Natural Resources and Climate Change headquarters in Kajiado town.
The initiative was undertaken in partnership with World Vision Kenya, World Wildlife Fund (WWF), the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) and the county Department of Water Services, Environment, Natural Resources and Climate Change.
The policies which align with the Constitution of Kenya, the Climate Change Act, Kenya Vision 2030, the Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Agreement seek to address challenges such as prolonged droughts, erratic rainfall, floods, land degradation, water scarcity, biodiversity loss and declining livestock productivity while promoting renewable energy and low-carbon development.
Speaking during the launch, Deputy Governor Moshisho noted that Kajiado, being one of Kenya’s Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASAL) counties, continues to face water scarcity, making the two policies critical in guiding climate adaptation and improving water security.
He said the county government had made significant investments in climate mitigation and water infrastructure over the past nine years.
“We have sunk a significant number of boreholes, secured several water catchment areas through partnerships, constructed dams and expanded water coverage to over 50 per cent of the county,” said Moshisho.
He added that the policies would provide a basis for further legislation by the County Assembly to facilitate their implementation.
County Executive Committee Member for Water Services, Environment, Natural Resources and Climate Change Joyce Neiyeiyo Pere thanked the county government and development partners for fostering collaboration in addressing environmental challenges.
She urged all county departments to integrate the policies’ action plans into their budgets and appealed to development partners to continue supporting climate resilience initiatives across the county.
World Vision Kenya Head of Programmes, Miriam Mbembe, emphasized the need to prioritise climate restoration, saying climate change affects livelihoods, ecosystems and wildlife.
She called for the speedy implementation of the policies through collaboration between the county government and key stakeholders.
KOICA Assistant Country Director Hwayeong Bae remarked that the policies successfully combine indigenous Maasai knowledge with modern scientific research to address climate change.
She noted that the policies were developed through a community-centred approach and encouraged residents to actively participate in their implementation.
A representative of WWF, speaking on behalf of Chief Executive Officer Jackson Kiplagat, cautioned against delays in implementing the policies, saying policy documents should serve as practical tools rather than remain unimplemented.
“The Water Policy and Climate Change Policy are not documents meant to remain on shelves. They are practical instruments that will guide the county in protecting water resources, responding to climate change, managing natural resources and safeguarding livelihoods,” she said.
The Kajiado County Water Policy was developed with support from Welthungerhilfe (WHH), KWAHO and WWF-Kenya, while the Climate Change Policy was developed with support from World Vision Kenya through the KOICA-funded K-SEED Project.
By Joyline Arodi
