Degraded land covering more than 96 million acres costs Kenya about $1.3 billion a year, The Star reported. The government has launched a five-year, $200 million World Bank-funded project to restore land across 12 counties.
The degradation of more than 96 million acres of Kenya's land is costing the country about $1.3 billion (KSh 167.7 billion) a year, The Star reported, citing the latest government statistics. The losses stem from declining soil health, reduced water supplies and shrinking ecosystem services. Degraded land steadily loses its ability to grow crops, hold water and sustain nature. According to the report, the effects include soil erosion, weaker watersheds and greater exposure to droughts and floods. About 88.6 per cent of Kenya's land is reported to be at risk of degradation. That risk deepens poverty, food insecurity and climate vulnerability. In response, the State Department for Forestry has launched the Kenya Watershed Services Improvement Project (KEWASIP). The World Bank is financing the five-year programme, worth $200 million (KSh 26 billion). It covers five priority landscapes: Marsabit, Marmanet, Nyambene Hills, Chyulu Hills and Shimba Hills. The 12 counties involved are Marsabit, Isiolo, Meru, Tharaka Nithi, Laikipia, Samburu, Baringo, Makueni, Kitui, Garissa, Tana River and Kwale. The project aims to produce 240 million tree seedlings. Of these, 220 million will be indigenous and 20 million agroforestry seedlings. It will also support 10 tree-crop value chains and seeks to rehabilitate 200,000 hectares over five years. The Star reported that…