Climate change is a global issue that demands serious attention, with nations worldwide seeking alternative solutions to combat its effects.
This was said by Governor Dr. Jonathan Bii during the launching of a climate change action plan at Uasin Gishu County headquarters noting that the plan marked a significant milestone as it unveiled a guide from 2023 to 2027.
“This plan, developed through Participatory Climate Risk Assessment conducted across all 30 wards, will heavily influence our strategies for climate change adaptation and mitigation,” he said.
“As an administration, the plan which we are launching is designed to reinforce our journey toward sustainable, climate-resilient development,” noted Bii.
He added that many may remember a time in the 1980s and 90s when the country enjoyed favourable climatic conditions. “However, with industrialization and global warming, we have witnessed rising temperatures, shifting weather patterns, and significant changes in the ecosystems. This has led to a decline in food and animal production, a challenge that has persisted for years,” he said.
Governor Bii said the launch of the action plan empowers the Ward Climate Change Committees to implement projects at the ward level.
“This responsibility is crucial as we strive to reverse the negative impacts on our society’s health and environmental sustainability,” he said.
“Our action plan prioritizes projects such as water management, climate-smart agriculture, environmental conservation, green energy, and waste management,” added Bii.
“In terms of water management, my administration is committed to desilting all colonial dams, ensuring their functionality for agricultural and household purposes to mitigate the effects of climate change,” noted the governor.
“This fiscal year, we’ve allocated over Sh1 billion to the water sector, fulfilling my pre-election promise to ensure equitable access to this vital resource across our communities,” he added.
“We are also focusing on promoting sustainable agricultural practices by investing in the latest breeding techniques and resilient crop varieties as last year saw farmers in Moiben suffer significant losses due to extreme weather conditions attributed to climate change,” noted Bii.
“Environmental conservation remains our top priority so far. We have already planted over 1 million indigenous and exotic seedlings through restoration drives, with 40,000 seedlings dedicated to conserving Timboroa among other forests in our progressive county,” he said.
“We are actively involved in safeguarding 270 wetlands through fencing and tree-planting initiatives, including recent efforts at Lake Narasha, which continues to face extinction due to climate change effects.
Bii noted that there is a growing campaign for households to adopt green energy, and it is encouraging to see the residents embracing these initiatives.
“As we anticipate the conferral of our city status, our focus is on greening our urban areas, marking a significant step toward our societal transformation,” said the county boss.
“We extend our gratitude to our partners for their support in mitigating the effects of climate change and let us all commit to building a community that is sensitive to climate issues as we move forward as a county,” he added.
By Judy Too
