Mandera West
On the third day, the team proceeded to Takaba to engage with the community and identify sites for proposed projects to be implemented by the Department of Environment and Climate Change.
The engagement comprised a consultative meeting with the Sub-County Steering Group (Sub-CSG), led by the Mandera West Sub-County Administrator, and included representatives from the Ward Climate Change Planning Committee, local leaders, and community members. The meeting aimed to disclose project details and identify a suitable site for constructing a veterinary drug store, to be managed by the Veterinary Department. Participants considered accessibility and security in their discussions and unanimously agreed on the old national government offices due to their proximity to the town and the Takaba police station, ensuring both accessibility and security.
On the fourth day, the focus shifted to public engagement to confirm a site for constructing a modern slaughterhouse in Takaba town. This initiative, led by the area MCA and the County Chief Officer for Environment and Climate Change, included representatives from the Takaba Butchers Association, women, youth, elders, national government administration led by the area DCC, and the sub-county administration led by the Sub-County Administrator. The successful construction of the slaughterhouse will boost the town’s economy, provide clean and healthy meat for locals, and improve conditions for meat vendors and butchers.
The team also visited Takaba Girls Secondary School, where they plan to install energy-saving clean cookstoves. This initiative aims to reduce fuel consumption, cut costs, and improve the health of the cooks, thereby enhancing the school’s performance, which has significantly improved in recent years.
Mandera South
In the final leg of the field exercise, the team visited Mandera South for public engagements on proposed projects in Elwak town. They held a consultative meeting with local communities, including ward climate change planning committees from Elwak North and Elwak South Wards, sub-county administration led by the Sub-County Administrator, the national government team led by the area DCC, ELWASCO CEO, Deputy Manager of Elwak Municipality, youth, women, and community representatives. After deliberating on appropriate sites, they settled on a site near the DCC’s office for the proposed veterinary drug store, ensuring accessibility and security.
The team then visited Elwak Baraza Park, earmarked for rehabilitation and greening through tree planting to increase tree cover, provide shade during events, and enhance the park’s aesthetic appeal.
The community engagement in Elwak town concluded with a visit to the Elwak Regional Market, targeted for improvements, including installing fire extinguishers to safeguard the market in case of fire.
Finally, the multi-agency team proceeded to Wargadud for a community engagement on the proposed rehabilitation and solarization of Wargadud Borehole 1, the oldest and main borehole serving the town. The exercise included area elders, ward climate change planning committee members, the area chief, and the ward administrator. A visit to the borehole site was made to assess it and identify the appropriate location for installing solar panels.
