Counties to receive Ksh.7.387B County Climate Resilience Grants

The funding follows a total of Kshs. 979 million in institutional strengthening grants distributed to counties in the previous fiscal year.

The Kshs. 7.387 billion will be divided among the 44 counties that met the FLLoCA minimum performance requirements, with each receiving a share based on their performance score.

To be eligible for funding, counties were required to establish county climate finance institutions such as a County Climate Change Fund and a County Climate Change Unit, as well as conduct a Participatory Climate Risk Assessment and Action Planning at the ward level.

 Another important condition was for counties to devote 1.5% of their development towards the County Climate Change Fund. 

This has seen counties allocate a total of Kshs. 3 billion in the current financial year.

The program is managed by the National Treasury and Planning working closely with the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Forestry and the Council of Governors. 

It is funded by the national and county governments as well as the World Bank and the Governments of Denmark, Germany, Netherlands and Sweden. 

The funds will be used to assist counties in developing and implementing tailored climate resilience strategies in response to risks identified by communities in sectors such as agriculture, water, and natural resource management.

This will result in a more sustainable and secure future for local communities across Kenya.

While handing over the cheque President William Samoei Ruto said the  FLLoCA resonates with his vision because: 

• The program has moved from pilots to scale, targeting communities across Kenya; and has done so by working through our own public financial management systems and offered a platform for coordinating and crowding in multiple development partners.
• It views communities not just as victims of climate change but as powerful agents in responding to the impacts of climate change.
• It has a focus on community-led climate action echoing my Government's Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda.”

Njuguna Ndung'u, CBS, Cabinet Secretary for National Treasury and Economic Planning, said of the initiative, "We believe that meaningful change begins at the grassroots level, which is why we are committed to involving communities in decision-making." By increasing local engagement, we are not only providing citizens with the tools and knowledge they need to combat climate change, but we are also inspiring the next generation of climate leaders."

Soipan Tuya, Cabinet Secretary for the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, and Forestry, stated that grassroots efforts are needed to make climate change mitigation a reality.

"We are at a critical stage in our fight against climate change, and it is therefore paramount to take bold, decisive action to safeguard our planet and its inhabitants. The CCRI grants are designed to provide the necessary resources and support to communities and innovators as they develop creative, and effective locally-led strategies to combat the impact of climate change and mitigate its consequences thereof,” she said.

Meanwhile, Anne Waiguru, the Governor of Kirinyaga and Chairperson of the Council of Governors, stated that by actively involving local communities in decision-making, county governments can develop more effective and context-specific strategies that take into account the unique challenges faced by each county.

“The disbursement of the grants represents a significant milestone in the journey towards a climate-resilient Kenya. By equipping communities and governments with the necessary tools, resources, and knowledge, we can ensure that communities are better prepared for the challenges brought by climate change," she said. 

Throughout the process, the FLLoCA Program will continue to provide ongoing technical support and capacity-building assistance to County Governments to ensure the successful utilization of CCIS grants and implementation of the PCRA process.

Financing Locally-Led Climate Action (FLLoCA) Program strives to create a more sustainable, secure, and prosperous future for all. 

By partnering with County Governments, businesses, and communities, the Program works collaboratively to develop and implement effective climate change adaptation and mitigation strategies.