On the sidelines of the 17th Conference of the Parties (COP17) to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), I held a bilateral meeting with Ms. Eeva Primmer, Executive Director of the Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI), in Yerevan, Armenia. The meeting explored opportunities to deepen Kenya–SEI collaboration in environmental research, biodiversity conservation, ecosystem restoration, climate action and sustainable development, with a strong emphasis on translating scientific knowledge into practical, measurable results. I underscored Kenya’s commitment to implementing the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework through its National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP). I highlighted the need for reliable and accessible biodiversity data, stronger national monitoring and reporting systems, and enhanced institutional capacity to inform policy, guide investments and track progress. Discussions also focused on integrated approaches that address biodiversity loss, climate change and land degradation together. Priority opportunities included restoring degraded forests, wetlands, rangelands and coastal ecosystems while strengthening climate resilience, sustainable land management and community livelihoods. On sustainable finance, I called for stronger collaboration in developing implementable programmes and mobilising resources to bridge the gap between policy commitments and action. Ms. Primmer welcomed further technical engagement and indicated SEI’s readiness to connect the Ministry with relevant research and sustainable-finance specialists. The meeting further explored opportunities to advance sustainable bioeconomy development and embed circularity within national planning. The PS emphasised building on existing initiatives and integrating relevant bioeconomy priorities into the NBSAP and circular economy strategy, ensuring coordinated implementation and avoiding duplication. Kenya acknowledged the important contribution of SEI’s Africa Centre in Nairobi to environmental research, capacity development and evidence-based policymaking. Follow-up engagement will focus on sharing key policy documents, linking technical teams and identifying concrete cooperation opportunities for a more structured, results-oriented partnership. The engagement reaffirmed Kenya’s commitment to partnerships that bring together science, policy, financing and community action to advance inclusive, nature-positive development. I was accompanied by Environment Secretary Selly Kimosop, Director of Multilateral Environmental Agreements Ms. Linda Kosgei, and other senior government officials. @SEIclimate #COP17Armenia #KMGBF #BiodiversityAction #TakingActionForNature #ClimateResilience #EcosystemRestoration #CircularEconomy

I was today deeply honoured to be awarded by His Excellency the President of the Republic of Kenya @WilliamsRuto as a National Hero in the Environmental Conservation Category, in recognition of my role as the Patron of the Mau Forest Complex Integrated Conservation and Livelihoods Improvement Programme (MFC-ICLIP). The award is testament of my demonstrated exceptional vision and transformative public leadership in safeguarding Kenya’s strategic water tower. The Mau Forest Complex which serves as the critical catchment for 12 major rivers and support millions of livelihoods, face systemic canopy loss, catchment encroachment, and environmental degradation, and our approach has shifted away from conventional enforcement, to establishing a holistic, community-centered restoration strategy. This commendation recognizes our ingenuity in architecting a model that is both genuinely community-led and entirely partner-funded. Recognizing that sustainable conservation requires local ownership, the MFC-ICLIP approach has embedded fringe communities directly into the governance, decision-making, and economic benefits of forest stewardship. Simultaneously, our persuasive resource mobilization has brought together private sector entities, development institutions, and civil society funding to large-scale ecological rehabilitation without placing a financial demand on the public exchequer. Through my visionary stewardship, the 1st Edition of the MFC-ICLIP achieved remarkable, measurable impact including: The recovery of 2,500 hectares of degraded forest through the growing of 2.5 million tree seedlings – a significant contribution towards the attainment of the 15Bn Tree Growing Presidential Directive. Linkage of conservation directly to rural household prosperity impacting over 10,000 local farmers (and their families) through tailored Community Livelihood Improvement Project interventions. Institutionalization of environmental literacy and stewardship among the next generation involving over 400 schools, thus creating over 360,000 ambassadors comprising of students and educators. These achievements reflect my rare combination of technical competence, strategic foresight, and inclusive governance. Through these integrated efforts, we hve contributed significantly and sustainably to combating the triple planetary crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution by expanding carbon sinks, restoring endangered wildlife habitats, and protecting critical water catchments from downstream contamination. The MFC-ICLIP has successfully established a scalable blueprint demonstrating that environmental conservation and community prosperity are inextricably linked. @SafaricomPLC @KCBInKenya @WWF_Kenya @Nature_Africa @UNEP @UNDPKenya @GGI_Kenya @KeForestService

On this #MashujaaDay , we honour the brave men and women whose courage, sacrifice and dedication shaped our nation and secured the freedoms we enjoy today. Happy Mashujaa Day!

Earlier today, i joined His Excellency the President of the Republic of Kenya @WilliamsRuto during a consultative meeting with more than 5000 Kalenjin elders at the Eldoret State Lodge, providing an important opportunity to draw from the wisdom, experience and foresight of our elders. Their counsel remains invaluable in shaping our national priorities, strengthening community engagement and advancing our shared development agenda. Our partnership with the elders has contributed immensely to the progress we continue to make as a country. The State Department for Environment and Climate Change recognises their role in promoting unity, preserving indigenous knowledge and championing environmental conservation. We remain committed to working together to build a sustainable, inclusive and prosperous future for generations to come. #UsawaNiSawa

Today, I virtually opened the 6th Africa International E-Waste Conference and Exhibition 2026, bringing together stakeholders from across Africa and beyond to advance sustainable management of electronic waste. Held under the theme “From Policy to Practice: Scaling Africa’s Circular Electronics Economy,” the conference provides an important platform to strengthen collaboration, promote responsible e-waste management and accelerate the transition towards a circular economy. Kenya continues to strengthen its policy and regulatory framework through the Sustainable Waste Management Act, 2022, the Extended Producer Responsibility Regulations, 2024, and ongoing efforts to develop a Circular Economy Strategy and Implementation Plan. These interventions aim to promote resource recovery, responsible recycling, and environmentally sound management of electronic waste. As digital technologies continue to expand, we must ensure that their benefits are matched by responsible practices throughout the entire product life cycle from design and procurement to repair, reuse and safe disposal. #CircularEconomy #EWasteManagement #SustainableWasteManagement

I chaired a meeting of the committee overseeing the transition of the Kenya Meteorological Department (KMD) to the Kenya Meteorological Service Authority (KMSA), following the enactment of the Meteorology Act No. 7 of 2026 on 13th March 2026. The meeting reviewed progress and deliberated on the institutional and human resource frameworks required to operationalize the Authority in line with its statutory mandate. A key priority in this transition is the development of three essential Human Resource Instruments: the Organizational Structure, Grading and Staff Establishment; Career Guidelines; and the Human Resource Policy and Procedures Manual. These instruments will establish a clear institutional framework, define staffing requirements, provide career progression pathways, and guide human resource management in accordance with applicable laws and public service regulations. During the meeting, we reviewed the proposed organizational framework against the existing structure of the former Kenya Meteorological Department, which was approved by the Public Service Commission on 21st February 2024. Under the previous arrangement, the Department operated as a directorate within the State Department for Environment and Climate Change, comprising the Meteorological Service Division and the Meteorological, Training and Research Division. The transition to KMSA requires an organizational structure that reflects its statutory mandate and operational responsibilities. The proposed restructuring will help establish clear reporting relationships, align staff grading with institutional responsibilities, and strengthen the framework for effective service delivery. We also reviewed the alignment of the Human Resource Policy and Procedures Manual with the proposed organizational structure, staff establishment and career guidelines. The manual takes into account the Constitution of Kenya, applicable labour laws and other relevant legislation, the Public Service Human Resource Policies and Procedures Manual, 2016, and other applicable regulations. It also addresses emerging human resource management issues to support a responsive and effective institution. The three instruments will be key deliverables in the transition process, providing the foundation for institutional organization, staff development and effective human resource administration within KMSA. The transition committee brings together officers from the State Department for Public Service and Human Capital Development, Management Consultancy Services, the Public Service Commission @PSCKenya and the State Corporations Advisory Committee. Their collaboration is essential in ensuring that the transition is guided by sound public service principles, appropriate institutional frameworks and effective governance arrangements. Our focus is to facilitate an orderly transition and establish a strong institutional foundation for KMSA to effectively discharge its statutory responsibilities in meteorological services, training and research. This will strengthen the delivery of reliable meteorological services in support of national development, climate resilience and public safety. #DeliveringThePlan

Today I met with CIMMYT the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center led by the Country Director Dr. Arpana Das to explore opportunities for integrating food systems research with environmental conservation, landscape restoration and climate change adaptation. The meeting provided insights into CIMMYT’s Sustainable Agrifood Systems Programme, including its work in developing agricultural technologies, scaling innovations to improve crop production, addressing market challenges and strengthening farmers’ resilience to climate change. Discussions explored how climate-tolerant crop varieties and sustainable farming practices can enhance food production while conserving soil, water and the wider environment. A key highlight was CIMMYT’s work on improved maize varieties with the potential to significantly increase household productivity, strengthen food security and improve incomes. The engagement explored opportunities to bring these innovations to farmers supported by MFC-ICLIP linking research with practical livelihood and conservation actions. #CIMMYTS #NETFUND

I virtually chaired the first meeting of Kenya’s National Plastic Action Partnership (NPAP), a platform bringing public institutions, businesses, civil society, academia and development partners together to advance a circular plastics economy. Kenya is demonstrating leadership by grounding this work in national evidence and broad participation. The NPAP hosted at UNDP has undertaken analytical work that will be translated into a National Roadmap. The Roadmap provides a coherent evidence base for transforming Kenya’s plastics economy. This will help align priorities, policy and investment, and guide coordinated action towards a more circular plastics system that supports environmental protection and economic opportunity. @UNDPKenya @WorldBankKenya @wef @KenyaGovernors @WWF @Pakpro

I thank God for our safety and I am grateful that all occupants on board the helicopter survived the incident. I sincerely appreciate the concern, prayers and messages of support received from members of the public, colleagues and friends. Thank you.

Today, I inaugurated the Project Steering Committee (PSC) for the GEF-8 Integrated Land and Water Management for Food, Water and Climate Security in the Dairy Food System Project, marking a significant milestone in advancing sustainable watershed management and climate resilience in the Yala-Nyando landscape. Financed through a USD 7.14 million grant from the Global Environment Facility (GEF-8), alongside over USD 38.7 million in co-financing, the project will address land degradation, declining water quality, climate change impacts and unsustainable agricultural practices while strengthening the resilience of farming communities. A key outcome will be the establishment of the Yala-Nyando Water Fund, a sustainable public-private financing mechanism designed to mobilize resources for long-term watershed conservation, water security and improved community livelihoods. The project targets approximately 5.7 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalent in emissions reductions or sequestration and is expected to directly benefit over 74,000 people through improved agricultural productivity, stronger dairy value chains, enhanced household incomes and access to sustainable livelihood opportunities. By promoting watershed restoration, wetland conservation, riparian protection and climate-smart agriculture, the initiative will contribute to ecosystem recovery, climate resilience and Kenya’s broader environmental restoration goals, including the 15 Billion Tree Growing Programme. The inauguration of the Steering Committee reinforces the importance of coordinated leadership, accountability and partnerships among national and county governments, development partners, the private sector and local communities in delivering lasting environmental and socio-economic benefits. @IFAD @Nature_Africa #SustainableAgriculture #GEF8 #YalaNyandoWaterFund #EcosystemRestoration #ClimateResilience

I joined His Excellency the President of the Republic Kenya @WilliamsRuto during 2026 National Mazingira Day celebrations in Endebess, Trans Nzoia County, where he reaffirmed his commitment to environmental conservation with the national goal of growing 15 billion trees by 2032. During the celebrations, His Excellency the President distributed cocoa seedlings to farmers, promoting tree growing alongside income-generating opportunities. He also unveiled aerial seeding technology to accelerate forest restoration and launched the Mt. Elgon Integrated Conservation and Livelihood Improvement Programme Strategic Plan 2026–2036, which aims to restore degraded forests, protect vital water resources and improve the livelihoods of communities around Mt. Elgon. As Kenya advances its tree-growing agenda, let us sustain this momentum and embrace environmental conservation as a shared responsibility. @KEFRIHQ @KeForestService @NemaKenya #MazingiraDay2026 #JazaMiti #TunzaIkulipe #15BillionTreesBy2032

On 10 October 2026, Kenya commemorates National Mazingira Day under the theme “Our Environment, Our Responsibility: Collective Action for Tree Growing and Environmental Stewardship.” The day calls on every Kenyan to take action in growing trees, restoring degraded ecosystems, protecting biodiversity and promoting sustainable environmental practices. Our Environment, Our Responsibility. Let every action count! #MazingiraDay2026 #TunzaIkulipe #JazaMiti #15BillionTreesBy2032 #15BWajibuWaKilaMkenya @Environment_Ke @EnviClimateC_Ke @Forestry__Kenya @NemaKenya @NETFUNDkenya @necc_kenya @KEFRIHQ @KeForestService