The government in collaboration with development partners has secured Sh39.3 billion to roll out a locally-led climate action financing programme.
Through the initiative dubbed Financing Locally Led Climate Action (FLLoCA), the government targets to ensure climate finance reaches the most vulnerable communities who continue to bear the brunt of the devastating effects of climate change.
National Treasury and Economic Planning Cabinet Secretary (CS) Prof Njuguna Ndung’u said the programme to be implemented in 45 rural counties comes after a successful piloting of county level climate change funds which proved to be effective in fostering deeper understanding of climate change and identifying tailored solutions to mitigate the effects.
With support from the World Bank, Germany (KFW), Sweden, Denmark and the Netherlands, the government, he added, has set in motion the process of releasing the funds to the counties to roll out the programmes.
“Our focus is on enhancing our national systems to ensure funds reach the most vulnerable individuals leveraging existing capacities to respond to shocks and evolving trends. Equally important is the flow of information and learning back to the national level enabling us to assess effective strategies and monitor our progress in bolstering resilience,” he said.
The FLLoCA programme, he said, aims to promote cross agency collaboration and linkages spanning from the community level, national level and the international development agencies to effectively address climate change.
Speaking in Kisumu during the launch of the initiative for 16 Lake Region Economic Bloc (LREB) counties, the CS said lack of funds was the biggest hindrance to inclusive community development and adaptation to climate change pushing tens of millions at the grassroots into extreme poverty.
The LREB component of the FLLoCA programme funded by KfW Development Bank (Germany), he said aims to enhance the capacity of the 16 agro-ecological counties of Trans Nzoia, Elgeyo Marakwet, Bungoma, Uasin Gishu, Busia, Kakamega, Nandi, Siaya, Vihiga, Kisumu, Kericho, Homa Bay, Nyamira, Migori, Kisii to decentralise climate finance and foster local resilience at the ward level to mitigate and adapt to the effects of climate change effectively.
Speaking during the same occasion, Environment and Natural Resources Cabinet Secretary (CS) Soipan Tuya lauded the support from development partners saying it would go a long way in addressing gaps in climate change adaptation and mitigation in the country.
Lack of resources, she said, was a big challenge adding that the country required Sh. 62 billion annually to roll out climate mitigation programmes and up to Sh170 billion to implement the long term strategy.
The CS said each county was expected to select one ecosystem to focus on and showcase the design of FLLoCA as the program rolls out.
He challenged governors to build on the existing structures while rolling out the programme to ensure it is successful.
“We must build on the existing structure and make use of the County Environment Committees, County Climate Change Committees and Ward Climate Change Committees to roll out the program to enhance efficiency and reduce duplication,” she said.
By Chris Mahandara
