Isiolo: Tree planting initiative launched to mitigate effects of climate change

The trees will be planted in public areas with access to water, including schools, health facilities, community conservancies and homesteads. The initiative comes amid worsening climatic conditions in the county, marked by irregular rainfall and prolonged dry spells.

While Isiolo town has recently experienced occasional afternoon showers, surrounding rural areas that support pasture growth remain largely dry. This has affected pastoralist communities who rely on grazing land for livestock. Wildlife habitats in Buffalo Springs and Shaba game reserves have also been impacted, with reduced vegetation due to lack of rainfall.

Community members say environmental conditions have steadily declined over the past two decades. Sabina Namoe, a former herder from the area, said tree cover and grasslands that once supported livestock have diminished due to a combination of climate change and human activity, including overgrazing.

Rangers from Nakuprat Community Conservancy, including Veronica Areng, noted that temperatures in the area have increased, leading to frequent human-wildlife conflict. Animals such as baboons and elephants are increasingly straying into homesteads in search of food and water as their natural habitats shrink.

Local leaders have also raised concerns about the lack of focus on dryland forestry policies. Acacia trees, which are widely used for fuel and construction, continue to decline, further straining livelihoods in the arid and semi-arid region.

Youth leader Simon Ekeno said expanding tree cover could help restore degraded ecosystems while creating alternative income opportunities for young people.

Kenya Forest Service (KFS) Conservator for Isiolo County, Simon Gioche, said the county’s tree cover remains below 10 per cent, underscoring the need for sustained environmental conservation efforts. He emphasized the role of community participation and the adoption of renewable energy sources to reduce pressure on remaining tree resources.

The initiative is being supported by the Kenya Forest Service and the ASAL Research and Resilience Programme Africa (ASREP–Africa). According to ASREP Africa Executive Director Dida Fayo, the project includes monitoring of tree growth and restoration of wildlife habitats in collaboration with local communities.

As climate impacts intensify across northern Kenya, residents of Isiolo County are increasingly turning to local, community-driven approaches to address environmental degradation and adapt to changing conditions.