Unlocking Land Opportunities

Desertification and Drought Day formerly World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought is observed on 17 June to promote public awareness of international efforts to combat desertification.

Kenya ratified the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) on June 24, 1997. The UNCCD itself was adopted on June 17, 1994

In 2025, Desertification and Drought Day focused on one of the most urgent global challenges: restoring 1.5 billion hectares of degraded land and jumpstarting a trillion-dollar land restoration economy by 2030. Under the theme "Restore the land. Unlock the opportunities," the 2025 observance shines a light on how restoring nature’s foundation—land—can create jobs, boost food and water security, support climate action, and build economic resilience.

Most importantly, the event is celebrated to remind humanity once again and again on the need to continue investing their efforts in safeguarding Mother Nature or our environment by adopting activities such as land restoration to sustainably combat the spread of desertification, land degradation and drought. 

In Kenya, the national event was held at Kenyatta High School, Mwatate Sub-County of Taita Taveta County.

The event was graced by Cabinet Secretaries Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Forestry, Dr. Deborah Barasa, Hon. Salim Mvurya, Ministry of youth affairs, Sports and Arts and Hon. Beatrice Askul for East African Community (EAC), Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASALs) & Regional Development.

Other dignitaries included Governor and Women Representative Taita Taveta County H.E Andrew Mwandime and Hon. Haika Lydia Mizighi respectively; President Advisor on Women Rights in Kenya, Harriette Chiggai; NEMA officials led by Chairman, Emilio Mugo, Director General Mamo B. Mamo, EBS, Mamo, EBS, Board of Management and representatives of other state departments.

CS Dr. Barasa stated that the precious, beautiful and fascinating landscapes are now facing threats of land degradation with the Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASALs) being the most vulnerable. Recent reports show that the greatest part of our total land mass in the country is already affected by land degradation. 

She stipulated that effective implementation of policies, strategies and plans will result in sustainable land restoration models which is necessary for driving sustainable environment conservation that will contribute in addressing the risk for the spread of desertification, exacerbation of land degradation and drought.

Kenya has aligned with provision of this SDG 15.3 by setting the Voluntary Land Degradation Neutrality targets and accordingly has been fast-tracking implementation of the LDN targets through various strategies aimed at balancing the amount and quality of healthy land to support ecosystem services making major strides towards implementation of UNCCD.

“Desertification is the most pressing environmental challenge of our time. 80% of Kenyan land is classified as Arid and Semi-arid as well as vulnerable. Action is needed to address growing challenges of environmental degradation. We do not have planet B, this is our only home, “NEMA Director General, Mamo b. Mamo, EBS said.

The DG noted that the Environmental Impact Assessment and Audit regulations of 2003 (Legal Notice No. 101 of 2003), which is under review provides for ensuring project mainstream mitigations that control wanton land degradation and thereby addressing fueling desertification and drought manifestation. 

He further stated that the legal and regulatory frameworks, the Authority has aligned to the 15 billion tree growing initiative.  During the previous Environment Days, the Authority oversaw planting of thousands of tree seedling at various parts of the country. 

Similar sentiments were echoed by the NEMA Chairman, Emilio Mugo who remarked that without timely and relevant interventions to address desertification and drought, food insecurity and livelihoods crises could become the norm. Therefore, we must translate research findings into practical, science-based solutions.

The fight against land degradation is not the governments alone. It requires every citizen—young or old, urban or rural—to take action. Let us adopt sustainable land practices, avoid overgrazing, conserve water, and most importantly, plant and care for trees. Let us nurture the partnerships, through collaboration to build lasting environmental restoration projects that truly unlock the opportunities hidden in our land.