By Bisola Adeyemo
As the world commemorates United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the Minister of Environment and Forestry Principal Secretary (PS)in Kenya, Dr. Chris Kiptoo has urged counties to converge in environmental conservation, preservation, and protection of the environment and showcase them to the world throughout the year.
Kiptoo made the urge virtually during an Inter-Ministerial Preparatory Committee meeting that is planning for UN Environment Assembly (UNEA 5.2), which will take place from 28th February to 2nd March followed by UNEP@50, KNA reports.
The PS observed that Kenya has multiple success stories at the grassroots and that the citizenry need to be encouraged through the devolved units, to map out best practices among communities and celebrate through a well-coordinated plan.
In so doing, they stand a chance of attracting more support from the National Government through increased budget allocation, as well as from development partners who are keen on implementing the environmental conservation, preservation and protection agenda.
“We need to see more action at the county level as they celebrate their various achievements, not as a one-off celebration, but all year round,” the PS said.
At the same time, Dr Kiptoo called upon the devolved governments to upscale environmental integration in their policies, programmes and projects.
His sentiments were supported by the Principal Secretary, East African Community, Mr Kevin Desai, who also said that, the East African region needs to synergize their action plans and through the bloc, upscale its policies, programmes and projects to achieve the African Union (AU) Agenda, 2063.
The AU Agenda 2063, Aspiration 2 foresees an integrated, united, peaceful, sovereign, independent, confident and self-reliant continent.
“The relevance of these celebrations is that we have an opportunity to amplify it at the East African Community by mapping out issues like forest coverage and transboundary ecosystems in this region,” Desai said.
