Cabinet Secretary, Hon Soipan Tuya yesterday joined her Treasury and National Planning Cabinet colleague Prof. Njuguna Ndung’u at a high-level meeting of County Governments from the Lake Victoria Region in Kisumu on the roll-out of agro-restoration of ecological zones in the region under the FLLoCA program.

Themed, “building climate resilience” through locally-led climate action the meeting is aimed at raising awareness among Governors and senior County Government officials, fostering greater support for the implementation of program components and ecological restoration initiatives through County Climate Resilience Investment (CCRI) Grants.

The Ministry appreciates all efforts made by Counties in the fight against climate change and encourages the devolved units to accelerate these interventions including the roll-out of the Financing Locally-Led Climate Action (FLLoCA) program.

Counties carry the heaviest burden of climate change impacts; they are where, the rubber meets the road, so to speak. It is therefore important that Counties take the lead in Kenya’s fight against climate change.

The strong resolve and enthusiasm exhibited by  Counties in setting up an enabling regulatory and policy environment, and going further to commit a minimum of 1.5% of their development budget to climate action is truly commendable.

Matching policy with finances to implement climate action at the local level is the surest way of winning the war against climate change by among other yardsticks enhancing the resilience of vulnerable communities, strengthening adaptation, and contributing significantly to mitigation efforts.

The event was also attended by Governors Dr. Wilbur Otichillo (Vihiga), Hillary Barchock (Bomet ) James Orengo(Siaya), Amos Nyaribo (Nyamira), Dr. Erick Mutai (Kericho), and Ochilo Ayacko(Migori).