REPUBLIC OF KENYA BARINGO COUNTY GOVERNMENT THE CAUX DIALOGUE ON LAND AND SECURITY 2016

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1 CAUX DIALOGUE ON LAND & SECURITY June 3 July, 2016 in Caux, Switzerland Realising the Potential of Land Restoration to Mitigate Migration REPUBLIC OF KENYA BARINGO COUNTY GOVERNMENT THE CAUX DIALOGUE ON LAND AND SECURITY 2016 A PERSPECTIVE OF LOCAL PARTNERSHIPS AND ACTIONS IN ADDRESSING CONCERNS OF LAND DEGRADATION AND CONFLICT IN BARINGO COUNTY, KENYA OFFICE OF THE DEPUTY GOVERNOR; BARINGO COUNTY

2 Background and Context Baringo County located in Northern Kenya lies within longitude 35o 30 and 36 o 30 East and latitude 0o 10 South and 1 o 40 North. Itcoversan estimated area of 11,015.3km2 of which 165 Km 2 is covered by surface water (Lakes Bogoria, Baringo and Kamnarok). The county comprises six Subcounties; East Pokot, Baringo North, Baringo Central, Marigat, Mogotio and Eldama Ravine. The county is categorized into two agro climatic zones; semi humid to humid areas which covers 21% and semi-arid/semi humid to very arid covering 79%. Much of the vegetation is dense bush covering an area of 54.3%. Forest cover area in the county is at 620 sq. km. The topography in the county falls into two distinctive areas the lowlands and then highlands. The county varies in altitude between 3,000metresabove sea level at its highest points and about 700 metres at its lowest points (Baringo County ADP , 2014).Rainfall In the County varies from1, 000 to1,500 mm in the highlands to 600mm per annum in the lowlands (Baringo County ADP ,2014). Harsh climatic conditions in some parts of the county and insecurity have played major roles in closure of schools and drop outs. This has a close connection to escalating conflicts in such areas due to literacy levels. The population in the county is estimated at 548,700 with a population density of 50 persons/sq. km. The composition of the population is mainly Tugens, Pokots and the Njemps. Faiths observed in the county are Christianity, Islam and traditionalists. Baringo is a water scarcity county with 74% of the population living without access to safe water. The main source of energy for cooking is solid biofuel (charcoal and firewood) with 98% of households relying on it. This has a negative implication ontree cover leading to land degradation and soil erosion in the county exacerbating cycles flood and droughts. The county poverty incidence is at 52.2%. In the county 38.9% of the people are in small agriculture and pastoralism with 70% of households owning livestock. The Arid and Semi-Arid Baringo County is vulnerable to acute human suffering and loss of development assets brought about by disasters which are caused by both natural and human induced hazards, and frequently by a combination of both. Aside from therefore most natural hazard of drought, other slow-onset hazards include environmental degradation.major sudden on-set natural hazards include; floods,land degradation,landslides, Conflicts (both natural resource based and human wildlife), Human diseases, livestock diseases, crop diseases and seismicity and volcanic activities. The aim of this paper is to give view actions that are being undertaken at the local level by the county government in partnership with other stakeholders in addressing concerns of land degradation and conflict. It was worth mentioning that in-migration in the county is 5.9% with total number of in-migrants at 32.5%. Overview of Land use in Baringo County The County consists of several Agro-Ecological zones giving rise to different land use patterns. This consist a tropical zone with well-drained fertile soils suitable for various land use systems in the highlands; and a semi-arid zone with complex soils of various textures and drainage conditions,

3 consisting of rangeland with livestock production as the main economic activity in the lowlands. This potentially arable land mass of 4,956.9 km 2 is dominated by subsistence agriculture with cropland occupying 15%, grazing land 30%, and forests 13% ( ha).the rest of the land is used for game parks, urban centres, markets, homesteads and infrastructure. The ASALs are used as rangelands by ranchers, agro-pastoralists and pastoralists; agricultural growth must be led by intensification and substitution towards more high value products, and expansion of the cultivated area through irrigation. Land Degradation According to the county government of Baringo (CADP ) and RAE ( Land degradation and erosion is widespread in most parts of Baringo County, in fact most several area are rendered unfit for development activities since they are lined up with deep gullies. Indiscriminate cutting of trees and vegetative cover for charcoal, non-protection of water catchment areas, overstocking, overgrazing and poor farming are the direct anthropogenic factors leading to degradation. Erratic rainfall and high-intensity storms cause heavy runoff and flash flooding. Erosion, exacerbated by deforestation in the foothills, is silting up Lake Baringo, the only large source of fresh water in the area. Overgrazing of diminishing communal reserves and the abuse of limited natural resources has accelerated. Land degradation is a major factor in the displacement of many people in the county either directly or indirectly and also a source of conflict due to its resultant effect on resource scarcity. Deep linear gully along Ainomoi-keturwo road near Kakwane and the denuded lands of Eron area The Conflict Context Baringo has been the setting of numerous conflicts efforts made to make the land becoming more productive. The conflicts area result of several intertwined and intricate factors. Mutsotso (2013)notes that by boarding eight counties in total, out of which, four of them are home to

4 pastoralists communities that are perennially involved in conflict; Baringo County is rendered more vulnerable. Tiaty is the most affected sub-county as it borders Elgeyo-Marakwet, West Pokot, Turkana and Samburu Grazing conflicts between ethnic groups has increased insecurity with boundaries. Baringo pastoralists are transhumance pastoralists dependent on livestock for their livelihood. There is a tendency to accumulate cattle even under unfavorable environmental conditions, often exerting a lot of pressure on the meager range resources. Drivers of Conflict in Baringo County: The scarcity of water and concentration of people and livestock in the available water points has often led to conflict between the different communities over the rights of use of the water source. Pastureland/conflicts over grazing rights Population pressures has led to environmental conflicts and conflict from competition for land by different land uses, i.e. pastoralism, sedentary agriculture, tree harvesting and conservation. Climate variability and change bring the risk of serious negative impacts on environmental and human systems, including extreme events such as drought, Heat Waves, Floods, Storms and slower onset impacts such as changing rainfall patterns, increased salinization, decreased soil fertility, and others. Climate change, on its own, does not directly displace people or cause them to move but it produces environmental effects and exacerbates current vulnerabilities that make it difficult for people to survive where they are. The changes, in turn, are likely to result in population movements and conflicts due to pressure on scarce resources. Climate change and resulting resource scarcity is one of the driving forces behind the escalation of inter-ethnic conflict. This escalates during periods of drought when availability of water and forage from pasturelands shrinks, leading to extreme competition and stress for the same. The recent El Niño phenomenon and flooding is an example of the impact of climate change in the county. The impact can be clearly seen as it happened below

5 Recent El Nino Flooding in Marigat and its Impacts A view of Perkerra River after the rainstorm as on Sunday, 8th May 2016 Figure: A view of mud deposits at Block II after river Perkerra diverted its course Figure: A view of one of the cattle shed where livestock in Ng ambo were swept away. Figure: A view of aftermaths of floods showing deeply eroded farmland in Endao

6 Figure: The Assessment team at section of Endao-Salabani road after the flood event STORY OF EL NINO FLOODS IN MARIGAT Marigat town and its environs in Baringo South Sub County, was hit by heavy down pour which caused flashfloods on 6 th may 2016,the torrential rains started pounding the area from 6pm evening and continued till 11pm,this was experienced in almost many parts of Baringo County especially Marigat upstream areas around Tugen hills. According to area residents it was a rain of its kind, which had happened in 10 years ago. Raging water from upper region plus run off water swept through the town and flooded the whole of lower Marigat division (IL Chamus and Perkerra Ward), causing havoc and displacing many. A total of 1,327 HH and 5,000 people were affected. Two people were confirmed dead and one person reported missing, rescue missions are ongoing. Livelihoods of many have been disrupted and school going children will not be able to attend classes as their schools remain flooded and closed especially for labos and loropil primary schools, Properties of unknown value were lost including two acre tomato farm. Current land restoration activities contributing to Conflict resolution in the County; Building of dykes, dams, water pans and de-silting of old dams Support in the provision of seeds and fertilizer for planting Support in food relief, water and livestock feeds Livestock off-take during severe drought Provision of medicine and vaccination to prevent disease outbreaks and Evacuation to safer grounds in case of floods Tree planting campaigns (3 million seedlings earmarked for planting this season) Promotion of soil conservation measures in the farms Reseeding of denuded lands Promotion of water harvesting techniques Promotion of early land preparation and timely planting of crops Initiation of projects that bring the conflicting communities to work together e.g. Lendorok Irrigation project in Mukutani which has resulted into 2 warring communities work together harmoniously Exploration of Geothermal Energy

7 Conclusion/Recommendations: Strengthening of community peace committees to conduct Peace Building Initiatives in faith based organizations in building peace between communities Develop County framework for benefit sharing from the utilization of natural resources Through collaboration with partners and key stakeholders strengthen initiatives aimed at providing effective and innovative sustainable natural resources management practices and climate change adaptation and mitigation measures Promote the development of non- land alternative livelihoods to ease pressure on already strained resource through working with partners Promote awareness on soil and water conservation practices Seek to strengthen linkages with institutions involved in peace building and conflict resolution initiatives more adaptive to local environmental, social, economic and cultural conditions. ~ X ~