Farmers in a once-barren area of Baringo North constituency in Kenya’s North Rift region are setting a silent revolution in motion for their overall progress after turning once barren land into a productive one. Many parts of Baringo North along the Kerio Valley belt are arid and semi-arid, characterised by dry and rocky land that cannot sustain meaningful agricultural activities. For decades, this has contributed to food insecurity and perennial conflicts over water, which is a scarce commodity in this particular region. So, for a very long time, inhabitants of this area have been forced to trek for several kilometers in search of water amid the harsh climatic conditions that made the area inhabitable. It is against this backdrop that most of the residents opted to move to other areas that could sustain agricultural activities, painting a grim picture of the hardships the community has endured due to the effects of climate change. “Many people had to relocate from this place due to a lack of water. The land was not arable; this region was like a desert,” said Elijah Kulei, a resident of Baringo North. However, an environmental conservation initiative that was started 30 years ago by members of the Kapkirwok community might soon change the narrative of this region. The group focused on the reclamation of the rocky land by planting trees in the area as well as protecting and conserving the available water catchment area. “80% of the trees around this area were planted by members of this project. We also had a few indigenous trees around some water catchment areas,” Mohamed Cheboi, the chairman of the Kapkirwok Community Water Project told TUKO.co.ke in an interview. TUKO.co.ke understands that to rehabilitate a rocky land, a farmer can start by removing the small rocks and then planting drought-tolerant crops like millet or fruit crops whose roots will help loosen the rocks. If one adds manure, and the farmer weeds the crops, more rocks will become loose and thus easy to remove. When TUKO.co.ke recently visited the area, it established that the once bare and rocky land that had been hit by the adverse effects of climate change is now a sight to behold. It is dotted with green, lush vegetation and plays a crucial role in making community members food secure. The group has embraced agro-ecological practices by adopting crop and animal husbandry. They minimise production costs by using manure from animals and poultry to enhance the fertility of the soil. Community members now boast enhanced food security. Maize, coffee, banana trees, and a variety of fruit trees are some of the crops that occupy this region and were once neglected. The project has also contributed to the economic empowerment of community members. Esther Kiplagat, a member of the Kapkirwok Community Water Project, says households now enjoy enhanced nutrition due to the initiative. “Right now, our spouses are empowered. They don’t spend money to buy food since they have kitchen gardens. Our families also earn income from the sale of the crops,” Kulei added. The project is now the envy of many, and its conservation efforts have since attracted other communities who visit the area to learn better practices for managing similar challenges in their affected areas. Bett Kipngetich, the spokesperson of Sacho Conservation Group, said the Kapkirwok community water project is a success story of conservation that can be emulated by many. “They have changed the environment by planting trees. They say the region was bare, but it’s now a forested area. I have led members of Sacho and Tenges to this project so that they can embrace the success story,” added Bett. Wawere Nyandia, who has been working closely with members of the project, said environmental conservation was one of the key components that led to the increase in water around the Kapkirwok area in Baringo North. As delegates recently met in Nairobi for the inaugural Africa Climate Summit (ACS) 2023, a group of former heads of government intensified the climate finance campaign. Ivan Duque (Colombia), Hailemariam Desalegn (Ethiopia), and Ruhakana Rugunda (Uganda) called on leaders and ministers to ensure the nature finance commitment made at the COP15 to deliver at least KSh 3 trillion per annum from developed countries by 2025 is given the prominence it requires. The three world leaders highlighted that the climate crisis and the biodiversity crisis are deeply interrelated and stressed that no efforts to combat climate change will succeed without sufficient attention to nature conservation. Former heads of state, ministers, diplomats, and scientists who make up the Campaign for Nature Steering Committee called on governments to act with greater urgency to confront the alarming loss of nature and prioritise efforts to increase nature’s financing. The summit, convened by the African Union (AU) and hosted by Kenya’s President William Ruto, was themed ‘Driving Green Growth and Climate Finance Solutions For Africa And The World’. President Ruto has been pushing the agenda that it is time for Africa to be part of the solution to climate change, adding that Africa is capable of providing green growth and green energy. BY TUKO NEWS