ICRAF, NDMA co-design climate-resilient dashboard – Kenya News Agency

The World Agroforestry (ICRAF), the National Drought Management Authority (NDMA), and other stakeholders are co-designing a dashboard that will help in decision-making in landscape restoration and climate resilience under the Towards Ending Drought Emergencies (TWENDE) project in Makueni County.

Also, through the dashboard, there will be proper planning and coordination that will bring together information and data on one platform, which will enhance decision-making for climate resilience and related work in the county.

“The dashboard will bring together information and data in one platform that will be easily accessible to inform the decision-making of stakeholders in developing a shared understanding of climate resilience in landscapes,” said Christine Magaju, Research Associate: Soil and Land Health at the World Agroforestry (ICRAF).

She said these in a TWENDE climate resilience decision dashboard co-design workshop in a hotel in Makindu town that was officiated by Makueni County Commissioner Mr. Henry Wafula.

During the workshop, Magaju added that the dashboard will also help in monitoring and reporting, besides building capacity for data interpretation and monitoring restoration interventions.

Speaking at the same event, the County Commissioner said that he will support the project and urged the stakeholders to use the national government administration to reach the community and create awareness about government programmes and policies.

“I will support this project to ensure it is realised. Our office plays a key role in mobilising the community through its structures in sub-counties. The county government officers and other stakeholders should work as a team,” said Wafula.

On rainy days, the administrator challenged the area residents to take advantage of the heavy rains pounding the county and plant trees on their farms in a bid to combat climate change effects.

On her part, NDMA County Drought Coordinator Alice Munyao said the project is being implemented in 11 counties, namely Marsabit, Isiolo, and Kajiado.

Others include Garissa, Tharaka Nithi, Kitui, Taita Taveta, and Makueni, where the project will benefit a total of 620,000 households.

“Through the TWENDE project, 500,000 hectares of rangelands in a landscape of 2.5 million hectares,” she disclosed.

The project will be implemented in Makindu, Nguu Masumba, Thange, Ngumo, and Ivingoni/Nzambani wards in the county.

The participants were drawn from the community, development partners, and relevant county and national government officers.

By Patrick Nyakundi