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Kenya Landscape Actors Platform Conference Kicks Off in Nairobi


            Nairobi, 4th November 2024 

The Kenya Landscape Actors Platform (KenLAP) has officially opened its 2024 conference at the Ole Sereni Hotel, bringing together key stakeholders from across Kenya and East Africa to discuss strategies for sustainable ecosystem management. The four-day event, which is being attended by government representatives, development partners, research institutions, and non-governmental organizations, aims to foster collaboration and align efforts towards preserving Kenya’s diverse landscapes.

In his welcome address, Dr.Michael Okoti, Director at the National Agricultural Research Laboratories of the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO) Kabete and Chief Research Scientist at KALRO, emphasized the importance of integrated landscape management for economic, social, and environmental sustainability.

“We derive our livelihoods from these diverse and interconnected ecosystems,” Dr. Michael Okoti noted, referencing Kenya’s forests, rangelands, farmlands, and water bodies. He pointed out the significant economic contribution these landscapes make, highlighting the KES 352.5 billion generated from tourism and KES 526 billion from agriculture in 2024 alone.

However, Dr.Michael Okoti warned of the growing challenges to maintaining the integrity of these ecosystems, including unsustainable land use practices, financial constraints, and limited coordination among stakeholders. “The interconnectedness of our landscapes makes it difficult to predict how our actions will impact the entire ecosystem,” he said, using Lake Victoria as an example of how poor agricultural practices contribute to invasive species like the water hyacinth.

KenLAP, which was established to address these challenges, seeks to coordinate landscape actors to work together for productive and resilient ecosystems that secure food, biodiversity, and equitable livelihoods. The platform also supports public-private partnerships, knowledge sharing, and policy advocacy on issues related to landscape management.

The conference comes at a time when Kenya is implementing an ambitious plan to plant 15 billion trees by 2032, increasing forest cover from 12% to 30%. KenLAP plays a key role in aligning various stakeholders’ efforts toward this national goal.

Dr. Michael Okoti called on all participants to contribute to the platform's six thematic working groups (TWGs), which focus on governance, finance, policy, social inclusion, and monitoring of landscape initiatives. He also urged the conference attendees to foster trust and collaboration, warning against exclusivity that could hinder progress. "Let’s not treat KenLAP as an exclusive club but continually increase our social, technical, financial, and cultural capital."

As the conference progresses, delegates are expected to engage in discussions, networking, and exhibitions that will shape the future of Kenya’s landscape management. Dr. Michael Okoti expressed optimism that the event would reignite participants' passion for safeguarding Kenya’s ecosystems for future generations.

The conference will run until November 7th, with a focus on creating a strategic plan to guide KenLAP's work moving forward.

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