Communities and stakeholders in Rhamu, Mandera County, have marked the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists 2026, highlighting the importance of sustainable rangeland management to pastoral livelihoods.
The celebrations, held under the EU-funded PLACE Programme, brought attention to the role of rangelands in supporting livestock production, environmental conservation, resilience and food security in Mandera.
Mandera’s pastoral communities are highlighting sustainable stewardship of rangelands as a pathway to resilient livelihoods, biodiversity conservation and improved food security for present and future generations.
Communities and stakeholders in Rhamu town, Mandera County, have joined the global celebrations marking the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists 2026 (IYRP 2026), highlighting the critical role of rangelands in sustaining pastoral livelihoods.
The celebrations brought together local communities and stakeholders to raise awareness of the importance of sustainable rangeland management and its contribution to the social, economic and environmental wellbeing of pastoralist communities.
The event was held under the European Union-funded PLACE Programme, in collaboration with the Mandera County Government and VSF Suisse.
Rangelands cover large areas of northern Kenya and provide essential resources for pastoral communities, supporting livestock production, food security and household livelihoods. They also play an important role in conserving biodiversity and maintaining natural ecosystems.
In Mandera, where many communities depend on pastoralism, the sustainable management of rangelands remains central to strengthening livelihoods and building resilience in the face of environmental and economic challenges.
The International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists 2026 provides an opportunity to recognize the contribution of pastoralists and rangeland ecosystems while promoting greater attention to their sustainable management and protection.
The Rhamu celebrations also underscored the role of communities in safeguarding the natural resources on which their livelihoods depend. Sustainable stewardship of rangelands can help support livestock production while contributing to environmental conservation and food security.
According to FAO Kenya, Mandera's pastoral communities continue to demonstrate how responsible management of rangelands can contribute to resilient livelihoods and sustainable natural resource use for present and future generations.
The collaboration between the European Union-funded PLACE Programme, the Mandera County Government, VSF Suisse and local communities forms part of efforts to strengthen sustainable approaches to rangeland management and support pastoral communities in the county.
As Kenya joins the global community in marking IYRP 2026, the celebrations in Rhamu place pastoral communities at the centre of conversations on rangeland conservation, sustainable livelihoods and food security.