Isiolo, Kenya| In a strong show of intergovernmental collaboration, Defence Cabinet Secretary Soipan Tuya and Isiolo Governor Abdi Ibrahim Hassan(Guyo) on Wednesday spearheaded a major environmental and peace-building initiative at Daraja Spring in Isiolo County under the National Program of Accelerated Ecosystem Restoration.
The high-profile visit underscored the government’s deepening commitment to environmental sustainability, climate resilience, and conflict resolution in Kenya’s arid and semi-arid regions, particularly in the north, where communities have borne the brunt of climate-induced degradation and historical land disputes.
Restoring Ecosystems, Reclaiming Hope
CS Tuya, leading personnel from the Ministry of Defence (MoD) and the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF), joined hands with local leadership and the Isiolo community in planting 5,000 trees along the Darajani Springs — a once-thriving wetland that now only has one surviving spring out of an original eight.
“Through the Environmental Soldier Program, and in close collaboration with the County Government, Kenya Forest Service (KFS), and the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), we are committed to reviving this critical ecological site,” said Tuya. “This is not just about restoring a spring — it’s about restoring hope and reducing natural resource-based conflicts.”
The tree planting exercise is part of a broader national restoration agenda aimed at reversing the devastating impacts of deforestation, desertification, and biodiversity loss, which continue to threaten food security, water availability, and peaceful coexistence.
A Model of County-National Partnership
Governor Guyo praised the initiative as a powerful example of synergy between county and national governments. “This joint effort is a testament to what we can achieve when we work together. Restoring ecosystems is no longer optional — it is our collective responsibility to future generations,” he said.
He affirmed Isiolo County’s commitment to championing climate resilience, adding that such initiatives would not only restore the environment but also build sustainable livelihoods and long-term peace in historically marginalized areas.
Tackling Longstanding Land Disputes in Burat
Beyond environmental restoration, the leaders addressed a parallel and deeply entrenched challenge: unresolved land conflicts in Burat Ward.
CS Tuya and Governor Guyo announced plans to convene a high-level roundtable that will bring together the National Land Commission, elected leaders, the Kenya Defence Forces, and local stakeholders.
The objective is to seek a lasting and peaceful resolution to long-standing land disputes that have hindered development and fueled tension in the area.
“This consensus is a crucial step toward peace, justice, and development in Burat. We must end these land issues if we are to realize our county’s full potential,” said Governor Guyo.
Widespread Support from Local Leaders
The event drew a wide array of leaders from both national and county levels. Present were Isiolo County MP Mumina Bonaya, Isiolo North MP Joseph Samal Lomwa, County Assembly Speaker Mohamed Roba, and Burat MCA Nicholas Lorot — all of whom reiterated their unwavering support for environmental and community development programs.
The leaders echoed a united message: that safeguarding the environment and resolving land issues are not just environmental or political imperatives, but moral ones, deeply tied to the wellbeing of the region’s people and their future.
A Vision for Isiolo’s Transformation
Isiolo, home to several key military installations, sits at a strategic intersection of environmental fragility and national security.
Tuesday’s activities, which included consultations on enhancing civil-military collaboration, signaled a renewed resolve to ensure harmony between defence interests and the welfare of the host community.
As the Program of Accelerated Ecosystem Restoration continues to gain momentum, the collaborative efforts seen in Isiolo may serve as a blueprint for other counties confronting similar environmental and social challenges.
Governor Guyo concluded, “What we began today is part of a larger journey — to heal our land, empower our communities, and build a peaceful, sustainable future for all.”
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