Isiolo Gender Watch, a local community-based organization, hosted a national validation workshop at Landmark Hotel to present findings from an ongoing research initiative titled Researching Green Activism: How to Better Protect Minority and Indigenous Communities, Civil Society Organizations, Networks, and Climate Change Defenders in East Africa.
Funded by the International Development Research Centre through the Minority Rights Group Africa based in Kampala, Uganda, the three-year project is being implemented across Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania.
In Kenya, the research focuses on Isiolo and Marsabit counties in the North Eastern region, home to marginalized communities such as the Gabra, Rendile, and Turkana.
These groups face severe climate and environmental risks, including recurrent droughts, rising temperatures, and occasional floods.
The study highlights the urgent need to protect civic space and strengthen the participation of minority and indigenous voices in climate action discussions.
Despite contributing minimally to global greenhouse gas emissions, African communities remain disproportionately affected by climate change.
The research aims to inform national and regional policies by providing evidence-based insights into civic engagement and environmental protection.
It aligns with key frameworks, including the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the African Union’s climate strategies, and the East African Community’s environmental commitments.
By documenting indigenous resilience and community-led climate mitigation strategies, the project seeks to enrich academic scholarship and policymaking, ensuring that marginalized populations have a stronger voice in shaping sustainable environmental solutions.
The validation workshop marks a critical step in refining the study’s recommendations before its final dissemination.