Blog Posts

The 17th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD COP17), taking place in Yerevan, Armenia, from 19 to 30 October 2026, provides an opportunity for countries to assess progress towards the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and accelerate action to halt and reverse biodiversity loss.

For Kenya, these discussions come amid growing public concern over deforestation and the protection of critical ecosystems. 

Imports play an important role in Kenya’s food system. They help stabilize supply when local production is low, keep food prices affordable for consumers, and fill gaps created by drought, climate shocks, or rising demand. However, for Kenya’s smallholder farmers, who produce most of the country’s food, imports can also create serious economic pressure when policies and market timing are not carefully managed.

As we mark World Wildlife Day, the global theme:“Medicinal and Aromatic Plants: Conserving Health, Heritage and Livelihoods” resonates strongly with Kenya’s growing challenge of balancing biodiversity conservation with community wellbeing.

In Kenya’s arid and semi-arid lands (ASALs), medicinal and aromatic plants are not just part of ecosystems, they are part of everyday survival. 60–80% of Kenya’s rural population relies on traditional medicine and herbal remedies for primary healthcare.