Twende Project - Community-centered drought adaptation plan in Kenya
In Kenya’s arid and semi-arid lands (ASALs) — regions highly vulnerable to drought — the TWENDE project (Towards Ending Drought Emergencies) was implemented to strengthen community resilience to climate change impacts such as prolonged dry spells and livestock losses. This project focused on ecosystem restoration, climate-adapted planning, and resilient land management across multiple counties.
How the Plan Was Designed and Implemented
The TWENDE project was driven by the National Drought Management Authority (NDMA) and involved participatory planning with local communities, county governments, and development partners. It focused on three components:
1. Adapted planning: supporting drought-resilience planning that integrates climate risk into local decisions.
2. Rangeland restoration: rehabilitating degraded landscapes, critical dry-season grazing areas, and water points.
3. Resilient ecosystem management: strengthening community capacity to manage local resources and respond to climate stress.
By combining ecosystem-based solutions with local governance and community participation, the project addressed both environmental and social facets of drought risk.
Reflection Against Key Criteria
Represents Community Values
The plan was developed through local participation and customary governance structures, ensuring that interventions aligned with the priorities of pastoral and agro-pastoral communities who depend on livestock and rangelands for their livelihoods.
Addresses Challenges
The initiative tackled core issues — degraded rangelands, water scarcity, and drought-induced vulnerability — by restoring landscapes and improving how communities plan for dry periods. This directly responded to the climate hazards they experience.
Adequately Assesses Vulnerability
The planning process included analysis of local drought risk and ecosystem states, which informed where restoration and drought-resilient practices were most needed. Involving community members helped ensure that vulnerability was understood from lived experience rather than only external data.
Demonstrates Conflict Resolution
Water and grazing resources in ASALs are often shared across ethnic and pastoral groups. The project strengthened traditional and community-based resource governance systems, helping reduce competition and supporting negotiated, agreed-upon use of key water and grazing sites.
Meets Community Needs and Expectations
Participating communities reported improved access to pasture and water during drought spells and increased knowledge of climate-resilient land management. This helped lessen livestock losses and improved livelihoods resilience.
Contributes to Adaptive Capacity
By restoring landscapes, building planning capacity, and linking traditional practices with climate adaptation planning, the project enhanced long-term resilience to drought beyond the project period. This means communities are better prepared for future drought cycles.