Ministry of Energy, Environment, Forestry, Natural and Mineral Resources

CECM – ENERGY, ENVIRONMENT, FORESTRY, NATURAL AND MINERAL RESOURCES

Mr. Mwendandu is a distinguished environmentalist with experience in environment, forestry, conservation, research, community mobilization and training spanning over 35 years.

In the course of his outstanding career, Mr. Mwendandu has worked with numerous national and global institutions and development agencies on projects revolving around environmental conservation, agroforestry, climate change, forestry and energy.

He holds a Master of Science (MSc.) in Land-Use Planning from the University of Toronto (1989), Bachelor of Science (BSc.) in Forestry from the University of Nairobi (1981) and a Post Graduate Diploma in Natural Resources Economics from the University of Toronto (1987).

He has also attended several professional courses including Strategic Leadership Development Program (SLDP) by the Kenya School of Government, Management of Arid and Semi-Arid Lands Ecosystems (Tel Aviv, Israel), and Climate Change Vulnerability and Adaptation Assessments (Honolulu, Hawaii, USA)

Other trainings include Management of Community Tree Nurseries (Gaborone, Botswana) and on-the-job training by the International Centre for Research in Agroforestry (ICRAF).

A NEMA-licensed Lead Expert in Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and Audit, Mr. Mwendandu was prior to his appointment working as an independent consultant with national and international agencies.

He consulted for the African Union Semi-Arid Food Grain Research and Development (AU-SAFGRAD), UNDP Global Policy Centre on Resilient Ecosystems and Desertification, and Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA).

Additionally, the CECM has in the past held various portfolios in the national Ministry of Environment and Forestry, Tana and Athi River Development Authority (TARDA), Kenya Forestry Research Institute (KEFRI) and the National Ministry of Agriculture.

During his stint in different State Ministries and agencies, Mwendandu rose through the ranks from a National Agro-Forester to Director for Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs), where he was involved in the global environmental discourse, negotiations and natural resources conflict resolutions.

Notably, the CECM has served in several global technical bodies among them the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) as a Bureau Member representing the Africa Region (2016-2018) and President to the Africa Region (2015-2017).

He also co-chaired the Montreal Protocol and Vienna Convention on Ozone Depleting Substances (2014-2016) besides being the Africa’s Representative in the Adaptation Fund Board (AFB) from 2009 to 2013.

Through this period, he garnered immense experience that will enable him to effectively steer the Ministry towards realization of its mandate in positive transformation of livelihoods in Kitui County.

– Richard John Mwendandu, CECM

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THE 16-SECTOR DEVELOPMENT AGENDA

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David Soi Masai

Chief Officer
Environment and Forestry

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Henry Ngilu Nyamai

Chief Officer
Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources

Ministry of Energy, Environment, Forestry, Natural and Mineral Resources

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