With the onset of the long rains, Kenya is about to enter another cycle of flooding and soil erosion. As history has shown, these challenges threaten infrastructure, food security, biodiversity, and livelihoods.
However, we can learn much from President Daniel arap Moi’s administration, where building gabions and planting trees were taken seriously as part of an environmental conservation strategy.
The battle against climate change rages with a growing recognition of the need for sustainable and impactful conservation efforts.
As we embark on the ambitious 15 billion trees initiative, we must consider other strategies. One such approach is revisiting gabions, a tried-and-tested method from Kenya’s environmental conservation heritage.
During President Moi’s tenure, gabions were widely employed to control soil erosion and conserve natural resources. These simple yet ingenious structures, made of stones enclosed in wire mesh, acted as formidable tools to combat soil erosion and restore the health of degraded lands.
They were placed along riverbanks, steep slopes, and degraded farms, helping stabilise soil and prevent gully formation.
Revisiting this historical approach is not just a nod to our past but a revival of a highly efficient and sustainable environmental conservation technique. Gabions can be used to address one of the most pressing ecological issues Kenya faces today: gully erosion.
These artificial gullies threaten landscapes, often causing soil degradation, land loss, and the failure of tree-planting efforts.
As Kenya strives to plant 15 billion trees, tackling gully erosion is a crucial first step. Without addressing this issue, the effectiveness of reforestation efforts will be compromised. Implementing gabions in degraded areas ensures newly planted trees have a stable environment.
Here’s why gabions make sense for climate action:
Erosion control: Gabions act as natural barriers that prevent soil erosion caused by heavy rainfall, protecting fertile topsoil from being washed away. This provides a stable foundation for reforestation and agricultural productivity.
Water resource management: Gabions reduce sedimentation in rivers and streams, improving water quality and sustaining wetlands and aquatic ecosystems.
It is not just about planting trees but about preserving the foundations on which they grow. By embracing gabions, Kenya can protect its landscapes, conserve natural resources, and secure a climate-resilient future for generations to come.
Healthier water bodies translate to reduced pollution and more sustainable water sources for communities and wildlife.
Biodiversity Conservation: By mitigating gully erosion and preserving existing landscapes, gabions support local flora and fauna. They create habitats for various species, contributing to ecosystem resilience and overall biodiversity.
Long-Term Sustainability: Gabions are durable, require minimal maintenance, and continue providing environmental benefits for decades. Their ability to withstand harsh weather conditions makes them a long-term investment in Kenya’s climate resilience.
Kenya is making significant strides in environmental conservation through large-scale tree planting initiatives, but this effort must be complemented with sustainable land management practices like gabion construction. If the 15 Billion Trees Initiative is to succeed, then gully erosion and land degradation must be tackled as part of the broader conservation agenda.
The Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, and Forestry should take the lead in driving this initiative. The ministry can ensure long-term environmental resilience by integrating gabions into national reforestation programs, working with county governments, and funding community-led conservation projects.
Collaboration with local communities, environmental organisations, and research institutions will also be crucial in implementing and scaling up gabion use nationwide.
Incorporating gabions into Kenya’s climate action and reforestation programs would ensure long-term land stability, protect water resources, and create lasting solutions to environmental degradation. This cost-effective, environmentally friendly, and time-tested approach deserves renewed national attention.
The Writer is a Climate Action Enthusiast and a Communications Specialist at Windward Communications Consultancy. Email:Â [email protected]
