Kenya Links Environmental Protection to National Security in New Resource Management Programme
Nairobi, 11 March 2026
Kenya’s Interior Principal Secretary Dr. Raymond Omollo has redefined national security to include environmental protection, launching the Integrated Natural Resource Management Programme on 10 March 2026. The initiative targets ten counties and addresses how competition over scarce resources like water, land, and forests fuels community conflicts. Omollo cited recent flash floods that killed 40 people as evidence that environmental degradation threatens national stability. The programme combines watershed restoration, climate-smart agriculture, and sustainable land management, implemented jointly by multiple state departments and IFAD as part of Kenya’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda.
Expanding Security Beyond Traditional Law Enforcement
During the start-up workshop held in Eldoret on Tuesday, 10 March 2026, Dr. Omollo articulated a fundamental shift in Kenya’s approach to national security [2]. “Traditionally, our mandate as a State Department has been associated with maintaining law and order. However, in today’s evolving governance and security landscape, it is clear that the sustainable management and protection of natural resources is a critical pillar of national security,” he explained [2]. This repositioning reflects growing recognition that environmental degradation directly threatens societal stability through resource scarcity and heightened competition amongst communities [2].
Resource Competition as Conflict Driver
The Principal Secretary highlighted how competition over natural resources including land, water, forests, fisheries, and pasture has historically contributed to tensions and conflicts across Kenya [2]. He specifically referenced conflicts amongst pastoralist communities in arid and semi-arid areas, where competition for pasture and water during drought periods frequently triggers clashes [2]. Climate variability and environmental degradation have intensified these security challenges, with degraded ecosystems leading to resource scarcity that threatens livelihoods, reduces economic opportunities, and fuels social tensions [2]. Dr. Omollo warned that these environmental pressures are creating new security paradigms that extend far beyond traditional law enforcement approaches [2].
Multi-Departmental Approach to Implementation
The INReMP programme represents a coordinated effort implemented jointly by the State Departments for Internal Security, Environment, Agriculture, and the National Treasury, alongside the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) [1]. The initiative will benefit ten counties through projects spanning watershed restoration, climate-smart agriculture, afforestation, and sustainable land management [1]. National Government Administrative Officers (NGAOs) have been tasked with mobilising communities and ensuring implementation reaches every grassroots level, with Dr. Omollo describing their role as “critical to turning policy into tangible results on the ground” [1]. This multi-departmental coordination reflects the programme’s integration within Kenya’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda, which prioritises inclusive growth, food security, and sustainable livelihoods [1][2].
Enforcement and Broader Policy Integration
Dr. Omollo urged security officers and administrators to strengthen efforts against illegal logging and forest encroachment, emphasising that environmental protection has become integral to safeguarding national stability [2]. The programme complements several other national initiatives, including the Financing Locally Led Climate Action Programme, the Food Systems Resilience Programme, and the National Agricultural Value Chain Development Project [2]. These initiatives collectively aim to strengthen climate resilience, boost agricultural productivity, and promote sustainable natural resource management across the country [2]. The timing of the launch comes as Kenya grapples with environmental challenges, including recent devastating flash floods that killed at least 40 people, injured many others, and destroyed property, serving as stark reminders that environmental protection directly impacts national security and community safety [2].