NAIROBI, Kenya, May 15 – Narok Senator Ledama Olekina has warned against climate policies that could undermine pastoralist communities, saying Africa must resist pressure to adopt methane reduction measures that threaten traditional livelihoods under the guise of climate action.

📻 Breaking It Down

Speaking during the Regional Parliamentary Seminar on Methane Emissions and Climate Action in Nairobi, Olekina said policies targeting livestock reduction would face resistance from pastoralist communities that depend on cattle for survival, income and cultural identity.

Olekina, who spoke from the perspective of pastoralist communities including the Maasai, cautioned against blanket methane reduction strategies targeting livestock numbers without offering viable economic alternatives to communities whose livelihoods depend on cattle rearing.

“I represent a community that grazes cows. If anyone comes up with a policy that says that we now reduce our cows, you will be affecting my livelihood and we will say no to that,” the Narok senator said.

📌 What You Need to Know

His remarks come amid growing global focus on methane emissions from livestock production.

Scientists have identified the beef and dairy industry as one of the leading contributors to greenhouse gas emissions, with methane accounting for a significant share of emissions generated through cattle digestion and waste.

According to climate experts, livestock-related methane remains a major contributor to global warming because methane is more than 80 times more potent than carbon dioxide over a 20-year period.

Olekina instead urged policymakers to focus on implementation frameworks that improve pastoralist incomes while addressing methane emissions rather than introducing restrictive regulations.

“If you come up with a policy that says we will not restrict your grazing patterns or your way of life, but instead enable you to make more money, then I would be happy for that,” he said.

He argued that climate policies should focus more aggressively on high-emitting sectors such as oil and gas rather than burdening pastoralist communities that contribute relatively little to global greenhouse gas emissions.

📰 Source: Capital FM Kenya