About

Our Story

From Laikipia Research Programme to CETRAD

CETRAD was established in July 2002 as a follow-up to the Laikipia Research Programme (1976–1997). As a bilateral institution between the Government of Kenya (Ministry of Water, Sanitation & Irrigation) and the Government of Switzerland (CDE, University of Bern), CETRAD operates from Nanyuki, Laikipia County.

CETRAD’s mandate focuses on the assessment and evaluation of ASAL resource potential, while empowering communities and building human capacity for sustainable dryland development.

Our Vision
Our partners

Key facts

2002

Year established

1976

Records since

Partner universities

Counties mapped

Location

Lairagwan Place, Muthaiga 2 Road
Off Haile Selassie Road
Nanyuki, Laikipia County, Kenya
P.O. Box 144–10400, Nanyuki, Kenya

Vision

A Sustainable ASAL for All

CETRAD envisions a future where arid and semi-arid lands in Kenya reach their full potential — supporting thriving communities, resilient ecosystems, and evidence-based governance.

Mission

Knowledge-Based Innovation

To promote equitable access to and sustainable management of natural resources in the ASALs of Eastern Africa through research, training, and knowledge sharing.

Mandate

What CETRAD is mandated to do

Assess ASAL Potential

Conduct and facilitate research to study and assess the potential and utilisation of the ASAL through integrated, long-term scientific investigation.

Empower Communities

Empower local communities through information dissemination and technology transfer to enable effective participation in the ASAL development process.

Build Human Capacity

Enhance the expertise of ASAL planners and development agents to plan for optimal and sustainable utilisation of resources.

Promote Sustainable Development

Promote land use planning, sustainable resource use, non-farm and non-pastoral enterprises, infrastructure, and related services in ASAL areas.

Research Thrust Areas

Four pillars of integrated inquiry

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Water Resources & Hydrology

Hydromet monitoring, river basin analysis, and groundwater assessment for water security planning.

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Natural Resource Management

Rangeland ecology, biodiversity, invasive species management, and wetland ecosystem restoration.

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Spatial Planning & GIS

Remote sensing, land use mapping, and county spatial planning support across all 47 counties.

agriculture

Food Systems & Livelihoods

Pastoralism, climate-smart agriculture, WEF nexus analysis, and food sustainability research.

Core Values

What guides us

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Integrity & Transparency

All research and activities conducted with the highest standards of scientific rigour, transparency, and ethical responsibility.

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Community-centred Impact

We engage communities, governments, and partners to ensure our work is relevant and widely beneficial.

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Scientific Excellence

We promote knowledge-based innovations that respond to the evolving challenges faced by ASAL communities.

eco

Environmental Stewardship

Every programme is designed with long-term environmental, social, and economic sustainability in mind.

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Collaboration & Partnership

Our bilateral mandate is strengthened by collaboration with national and international institutions.

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Impact

We measure success by the tangible difference our research, training, and policy engagement makes in people’s lives.

Departments

Our operational structure

Research & Development Department

Leads CETRAD’s scientific programmes across the four thrust areas — hydrology, natural resources, spatial planning, and food systems.

Department of Information & Knowledge Management (DIKM)

Manages CETRAD’s data systems, online platforms (SHIP, EWS, Atlas), publications, library, and information dissemination.

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Training & Capacity Building

Designs and delivers short-term field courses and academic attachment programmes for ASAL practitioners.

Finance & Administration

Provides operational, financial management, and HR support for all CETRAD programmes and projects.

Our Partners

Working together across borders

MoW KE

Ministry of Water

Kenya bilateral partner

CDE CH

CDE, Univ. of Bern

Swiss bilateral partner

Bonn

University of Bonn

Germany

UoN

University of Nairobi

Kenya

Kenyatta University

Kenya

Sokoine University

Tanzania

SEI

Stockholm Environment Institute

WEF Nexus partner

USIU

USIU Africa

Kenya