Introduction

On March 10th, MID-P team ( PM, CO, BDO,  PO and Driver) went to Maralal, Samburu County for a County Steering Group meeting which was scheduled for 11th of March 2025. During that process, the team paid a courtesy visit to National Drought Management Authority(NDMA), where they  got the County Drought Coordinator (CDC),  Mr. Josephat Lotwel. The team  engaged the CDC on a face to face through discussion on the CSG meeting which was scheduled for the next day.   MID-P Programme Manager introduced the organization, from its formation, vision, mission, core values and the impact the Organization has had within Isiolo County and the plans for the organization to expand its operations to the neighboring counties like Samburu and Marsabit upon acquiring funds.

The CDC welcomed the team well and highlighted on the work that they are doing in Samburu County , he explained the core values of NDMA, the main one being partnership and how they value working together with other development and humanitarian partners to

support the local community.  “At NDMA we value partnership, because we believe that there are enough resources and if we work as a team with all the humanitarian and development partners, then we will go far in helping the community, that is why we want to work with more development and humanitarian organizations to share work together,  share notes and experiences in order to have more impact within the community we serve.” Said Mr.  Josephat.

He also highlighted some of the need within Samburu County like: water, registration of community land, education and eradication of harmful cultural practices like FGM. He pointed out that despite the fact that Samburu County might have enough pasture, the community members have to move from one place to another due to insufficient water for livestock, and he recommended water harvesting through sand dams, rock catchment and water pans, so that it would be of use to the local community both for livestock and farming. On land matters, he highlighted that the community members have vast land which is mostly grabbed and fenced by people, both locals and foreigners, and therefore he proposed that the community land needs to be registered in order for the community to utilize it fully.

On Tuesday 11th, the team made another courtesy visit to the office of the CEC Water, Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change, Mr. Patrick… and later the office of the Deputy Governor. For the CEC, the team went to introduce the IKI_EBA project by CETRAD  and Stockholm Environmental Institute,  the project had a tree planting activity which is being done by MID-P,  and includes planting 3,000 trees in Isiolo, Samburu and Laikipia counties, 1,000 tress in each county. The CEC was impressed with the activity and stated that it would have a great impact on the environment and help in the journey towards fighting climate change. The team proposed the tree planting activity to be conducted in one of the Wards bordering Isiolo County i.e. Samburu east,  for easier access and monitoring,  however, Mr. Patrick suggested that instead of the Wards bordering Isiolo which is in Samburu East , the activity be conducted in Samburu Central, which includes Maralal. He stated that most of the development and humanitarian organizations working in Samburu choose to work in north and east and the people in that area have benefitted a lot unlike those living in central, which the team agreed to.

Mr. Ibrahim Kabelo, also proposed the trees to be planted within institutions which have  proper fencing and enough water and also requested the Environment Officers to suggest the indigenous trees that need to be planted and will do well in those areas. The tree planting activity under SEI project will begin before the end of March, 2025, after the completion of the tender documents, which will be shared with the office of the CEC Environment for circulation, so as to give the locals an opportunity to apply and supply the trees. Regular monitoring will be done by MID-P together with the Environment Officers, to ensure that the trees are doing well add to environmental conservation.

The CEC suggested the following interventions that could help with some of needs and challenges faced within Samburu County:

• Increase in National Police Reserve (NPR) to increase security within the community
• Putting in place well coordinated conflict management strategies
• Well planned conflict dialogues
• Sensitizing the community to report criminals
• Enrolling school age children in schools, to reduce potential for potential bandits
• Peace caravan meetings across different counties.