Technical Assistance Mission to Kenya: Accelerating Implementation of the DRESSEA Project and Preparation for the 34th Session of the OSS Executive Board

Nairobi, Kenya | 10–14 August 2026

From 10 to 14 August 2026, the Sahara and Sahel Observatory (OSS) carried out a technical assistance mission in Kenya to support the final implementation phase of the Strengthening Drought Resilience for Smallholder Farmers and Pastoralists in the IGAD Region (DRESSEA) project.

Led by Mr. Reuben Steve Muhanji and Mr. Robert Onyango, the mission reflects the OSS approach of working directly with national institutions and project teams to identify challenges, agree on practical solutions and ensure that activities deliver concrete results for the communities concerned.

Working directly with national partners
During the mission, the OSS team met with key Kenyan institutions involved in the implementation of DRESSEA. Discussions included Dr. Eng. Festus Ngeno, Principal Secretary of the State Department of Environment and Climate Change, Dr. Joyce Jelegat, incoming Project Coordinator, representatives of the Ministry of Finance and the National Treasury, as well as the National Project Management Unit.

The meetings provided an opportunity to review progress on the ground, identify remaining implementation challenges and agree on priority actions to accelerate the completion of project activities.

Particular attention was given to operational issues that could affect the timely delivery of expected results. Together with the national team, the OSS worked to clarify responsibilities, strengthen coordination and identify practical measures to address remaining bottlenecks.

From technical assistance to concrete results
The mission went beyond institutional meetings. It formed part of the OSS’s broader field-based approach to project implementation: working closely with countries, supporting national teams and ensuring that regional programmes translate into tangible benefits at local level.

Through DRESSEA, the OSS supports efforts to strengthen the resilience of smallholder farmers and pastoralist communities facing drought and climate variability in the IGAD region. Effective implementation therefore depends not only on project planning, but also on regular field follow-up, dialogue with national partners and the ability to adapt activities when challenges arise.

Strengthening the OSS–Kenya partnership
The mission also provided an opportunity to deepen institutional cooperation between the OSS and the Republic of Kenya.

During the discussions, preparations were addressed for Kenya’s hosting of the 34th session of the OSS Executive Board, an important milestone in the country’s engagement with the Organisation and in regional cooperation on environmental governance and sustainable natural resource management.

By combining technical assistance, field engagement and institutional dialogue, the mission reaffirmed the strong partnership between the OSS and Kenya.
Through this approach, the OSS continues to work alongside its Member Countries to ensure that regional initiatives such as DRESSEA move from planning to implementation and deliver practical, measurable and lasting results for communities and territories affected by climate change.