The Kenya Forest Service (KFS) celebrated the World Wetlands Day 2026 in Isiolo County under the theme “Wetlands and Traditional Knowledge: Celebrating Cultural Heritage.” The celebrations highlighted the critical role of indigenous knowledge and community stewardship in wetland conservation.
The Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Forestry – Deborah Baraza, who was the Chief Guest, underscored the growing threats facing wetlands, including encroachment and pollution from solid waste. She highlighted the initiatives taken by the Ministry, such as implementation of the ‘Adopt a Wetland Initiative,’ which has already attracted over 60 stakeholders who are ready to commit to long-term restoration efforts across the country.
During the celebrations, the Cabinet Secretary also launched the Carbon Credit Community Guidelines, developed by the Ministry through NEMA in partnership with WWF. The guidelines aim to empower communities with knowledge on carbon credits, enabling them to actively participate in climate action while benefiting economically from conservation efforts.
Speaking during the event, Director General of NEMA – Mamo, noted that management plans are underway to restore degraded wetlands through fencing and other protection measures. He emphasised that communities are the true custodians of wetlands and called for empowering local voices through community-led conservation programs to secure a sustainable future for these ecosystems.
World Wetlands Day is observed annually on February 02 to commemorate the adoption of the Convention on Wetlands in Ramsar, Iran, in 1971. It was first celebrated in 1997 and later recognized as a United Nations International Day. The event raises global awareness of the vital role wetlands play in sustaining life and livelihoods.
The event also recorded presence of the Governor Isiolo County – Abdi Ibrahim Guyo, the Deputy Governor – James Lowasa, the Chairman Board of Directors at NEMA – Emilio Mugo, Regional Forest Conservator – Charles Otieno among other senior officers and stakeholders.
Kenya Forest Service also commemorated World Wetlands Day at Karura Forest. The event aimed at creating awareness on the importance of wetlands and river ecosystems. This activity brought together various stakeholders committed to environmental conservation and highlighted the critical role wetlands play in water regulation, biodiversity conservation, and climate change mitigation.
The event was graced by overall in-Charge of Karura Forest Ecosystem Facility – Edward Munene, who called on the public to take responsibility in preserving wetlands and rivers within forest ecosystems and also in their homes and surrounding communities. He emphasized that protecting wetlands begins with simple actions such as proper waste disposal and responsible use of water resources.
As part of the commemoration, participants engaged in Ruaka River clean-up exercise to translate awareness into action. The target group included youth from Huruma, pupils from New Dawn Centre, and staff from Kenya Forest Service (KFS), Friends of Karura Forest (FKF). The activity fostered environmental stewardship among the youth and reinforced the importance of collective effort in conserving wetlands and river systems for sustainable development.