In the semi-arid region landscapes of West Pokot County in Kenya, gullies have formed due to degraded lands and ecosystems and pose a grave danger to people and livestock. But today the land is showing signs of fresh life and renewal, thanks to a collaborative effort led by Jane Wegesa Fraser and local community members.
Likewise, in the northern part of the same County of West Pokot, Wambui Mbuthia a local daily newspaper journalist focusing on the climate change crisis, witnessed the transformative impact seen in Kanyerus. She wrote, “Deep, jagged scars marred the landscape as we neared Kacheliba, creating an almost haunted atmosphere. Meagre shrubs offered no respite from the relentless sun. Even Jane, upon meeting us, admitted the terrain was so brutal that she’d nearly given up when she first arrived.”
“The dryness surrounding our destination differs from the area’s past. Geoffrey Pkemei explained that his community had fled to escape clashes with neighbours. Constant insecurity forced them to leave the land deserted for almost three decades.”
The women of Kanyerus tending to their gardens and animals, planting vetiver, digging contours and gathering before working together.
This one-year project was funded by Daughters for Earth, resourcing womens training, permaculture, kitchen gardens, and food forest to support food sovereignty, nutrition and livelihoods. Regenerosity supported as an intermediary to connect grassroots leaders and organizations with aligned funders and resources.
Over the course of one year, 56 women from 17 villages of Kanyerus united to rehabilitate the degraded land. They created swales on contours to capture runoff, half-moon beds and banana circles. Several gullies, dangerously scarring the landscape, were stabilized using vetiver grass, planted strategically in half-moons and contours. Vetiver’s dense root systems anchored the soil, preventing further erosion and creating the foundation for ecological recovery.
The impact of the project is evident, rainfall now infiltrates the soil instead of running off, plants are sprouting in previously barren areas, and the community feels a renewed sense of pride and safety.
Vetiver grass was central to the project’s success, as The Vetiver Network International reports, benefits include:
- Soil Stabilization: Vetiver prevents erosion even in areas with heavy rainfall
- Microclimate Creation: The grass provides favorable conditions for native plants and trees to establish
- Water Management: It improves groundwater recharge and enhances stream flows
- Cost-Effectiveness: Once established, vetiver requires minimal maintenance and lasts for decades
Vetiver’s global success in similar projects, from stabilizing gullies to regenerating degraded urban landscapes, underscores its versatility and effectiveness.
As this project concludes, its impact continues to grow. The restored land now supports safer passage for livestock and children, healthier grazing areas, a food forest and a revitalized ecosystem.
This collaboration highlights the transformative potential of women worldwide as significant drivers of change. To support this work further, consider donating today to fund grassroots regeneration tomorrow.
