The fight against climate change has gained momentum in Homa Bay County after the county government disbursed funds for environment conservation to groups.
Homa Bay County Governor Gladys Wanga disbursed funds totaling Sh12.3 million to 82 groups from all 40 wards in the county with each receiving a grant of Sh150,000.
The funds were issued through the Locally-Led Climate Action (FLLoCA) Programme. The FLLoCA is undertaken in collaboration with the National Government, County Government, the World Bank and other donors.
The Governor said each group will spend the money on planting 100,000 tree seedlings in nursery beds at their villages.
Upon maturity, the groups will sell the seedlings to both governmental and non-governmental agencies and individuals. The groups will also plant the seedlings to improve tree cover in the area.
Governor Wanga was accompanied by her deputy Oyugi Magwanga and Environment County Executive Committee Member Joash Aloo during the distribution of cheques to the groups in Homa Bay Town.
Wanga assured the groups that her administration will buy seedlings from them once mature.
“Whenever my government needs seedlings, we will give priority to purchasing seedlings from these groups. This will also apply to the National Government whenever they need seedlings,” Wanga said.
Wanga expressed optimism that the programme is going to help the county in combating the adversity of climate change.
The Governor said it was regrettable that many water towers in the county are currently facing environmental degradation.
“Forests which help in attracting rainfall such as Gwassi, Kodera, Lambwe, Gembe and many others are facing degradation due to excessive deforestation,” she said.
Wanga said it was timely that the programme comes at a time when most of the forests have been destroyed.
“This project will help us to conserve the environment and improve food security,” Wanga said.
She noted that the droughts and floods experienced in many parts of the county were a result of environmental degradation leading to climate change.
“The droughts and floods we witness in this county results from climate change. We want to have more than eight million seedlings in this county to help us to combat the adversity of climate change,” Wanga said.
She said the project is also a source of livelihood for the beneficiaries.
Magwanga urged the groups to utilise the funds prudently to transform their lives.
“Let every group utilise the funds prudently for the intended purpose,” Magwanga said.
“I want you to plant trees which are marketable. Also consider planting trees which are suitable to the climatic conditions in your area,” Magwanga said.
Dr Aloo said they will also implement water projects as a component of the FLLoCA programme.
By Davis Langat
