Turkana Marks World Wetlands Day 2025, Pledges Stronger Conservation Efforts
Lodwar, February 2, 2025 – Public Communications and Media Relations
Turkana County joined the global community in marking World Wetlands Day 2025, with County Executive for Tourism, Culture, Natural Resources and Climate Change, Audan Leah Lokala, leading the commemorations.
The annual UN-designated event celebrates the Ramsar Convention of 1971, emphasizing the sustainable use and conservation of wetland resources. This year’s theme was Protecting wetlands for our common future.
In her address on behalf of Governor Jeremiah Lomorukai, CEC Lokala highlighted the Lake Turkana belt, Turkwel and Kerio River basins, and Lotikipi swamps as critical wetlands that support livelihoods through water provision, fishing, and tourism.
Lokala urged residents to actively support the county’s conservation initiatives.
The national event is currently underway at Ondiri Wetlands, where the government has reiterated its zero tolerance towards encroachment of wetlands, she said.
She further encouraged residents to seek guidance from environmental experts to optimize the benefits from wetlands while noting threats such as human activities and the invasive Prosopis juliflora plant. The county has deployed climate-smart technologies to curb degradation.
Assistant County Commissioner for Turkana Central, Andrew Mutuma, confirmed that national government agencies would collaborate closely with the county and development partners to enhance wetland protection.
The event also featured remarks from county officials including Phoebe Ekali (Director of Environment), Pauline Pusiye (Ag. Director for Natural Resources), and MCA James Ikeny (Kanamkemer Ward). Representatives from development partners such as Wetlands International, NEMA, Kenya Forest Service, Kenya Wildlife Service, World Vision Kenya, LOKADO, Boma Project, TUPADO, and Kenya Red Cross Society emphasized the importance of safeguarding wetlands from further encroachment and environmental degradation.
The county government reiterated its commitment to protecting wetland ecosystems while promoting sustainable development and economic growth in Turkana.