Mandera County, often viewed as a desert and conflict-prone area, could soon be recognized as the world’s green city if it outperforms Liverpool in the UK and Melbourne in Australia in an upcoming competition ending on September 27.
Governor Mohamed Khalif has launched a greening initiative, planting nearly 300,000 trees to combat frequent droughts. His ambitious goal is to plant a billion trees by the end of his five-year term, with around 1,300 families enlisted to care for the trees in the municipality.
He explained, “We will use leftover water to raise the trees. Every moment they cleanse themselves for prayers, the water is not wasted but used to hydrate the trees, protecting them from the unforgiving sun.” Each family will adopt and nurture a tree.
To motivate participation, families receive a monthly stipend of Sh10,000, providing them with both an income and a reason to engage in the initiative. Mandera is competing in the “Living Green for Climate Change” category alongside the two cities.
The winners will be announced at the Future Green City World Congress in Utrecht, the Netherlands, starting September 25. The overall victor will receive the World Green City Award 2024.
Liverpool’s project in the competition is URBAN GreenUP, while Melbourne is presenting its Green Factor Tool. The competition aims to promote living green solutions such as street trees, green roofs, and gardens that mitigate climate change impacts.
“I’m proud of this municipality greening project because it has not just transformed the face of Mandera, but also given it life and made our county a significant place of the future,” Khalif stated.
Before the initiative, the county faced severe dust storms and intense heat with no shade. Since the trees have matured and shaded the area, Mandera has seen an increase in rainy seasons, facilitating water harvesting and crop irrigation.
“Trees are life, and I don’t regret committing taxpayers’ money to this project. It’s a blessing that yields multiple benefits—from providing shade against the harsh sun to fostering more rainy seasons for food production, enhancing the aesthetic appeal, and making Mandera a sustainable future city in this dry part of the country,” he said.
The awards ceremony is set for September 25 at the Future Green City World Congress, where all finalist cities will participate in a four-day program. The city of Utrecht invited participants, noting, “AIPH, along with their network of partners, is proud to celebrate the inspiring work that the finalist cities are undertaking for plants, for nature, for people, and ultimately for the planet.”
In its competition entry, Mandera County described the afforestation program as a “beacon of hope and transformation in a challenging environment,” emphasizing that it “turned adversity into opportunity, offering a brighter future for our residents.”
The county added, “Our afforestation efforts enhance climate resilience in a region vulnerable to extreme weather. We’ve empowered vulnerable individuals, particularly women and youth, by providing stable incomes and reducing poverty. Indigenous communities, schools, and youth actively participate, fostering environmental stewardship and ensuring the program’s sustainability.”
The finalists will be evaluated by a distinguished jury, who will select winners in various categories. Notable categories include Living Green for Biodiversity, Urban Ecosystem Restoration, and Living Green for Health and Well-being, with cities like New York, São Paulo, and Denver competing for top honors.
