KENYA, IGAD STRENGTHEN COLLABORATION ON CLIMATE SECURITY

Kenya has reaffirmed its commitment to addressing climate change as a national security priority through enhanced collaboration with the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD).

During a high-level meeting in Nairobi, Principal Secretary for Internal Security and National Administration, Dr. Raymond Omollo, held talks with a delegation from IGAD led by Dr. Abdi Fidar, Director of the IGAD Climate Prediction and Applications Centre (ICPAC), and Abdikarim Mohamed, Coordinator of the IGAD Climate Security Mechanism.

The discussions focused on strengthening policy frameworks and administrative systems that link environmental restoration to security and governance. Central to this cooperation is the implementation of the Presidential Directive on the 15 billion Tree Growing and Restoration Programme, which seeks to expand Kenya’s tree cover to 30 percent by 2032. Strengthening coordination between local administrative units, particularly chiefs and assistant chiefs and regional climate institutions was underscored as a key driver for achieving this target.

This partnership underscores the government’s recognition that sustainable environmental management is integral to peace and security, aligning Kenya’s national objectives with IGAD’s broader regional agenda for stability and resilience in the Horn of Africa.