Few countries have been hit harder by climate change than Kenya, where more frequent droughts and floods have become a fact of life for much of the country and to boost the adaptation efforts incorporated by communities comes the Financing Locally Led Climate Action (FLLoCA) Programme. There has been a beam of hope in the partnership between the Kenyan government and the World Bank that has birthed the Financing Locally Led Climate Action (FLLoCA) Programme.
FLLoCA is a five-year Government of Kenya program funded by the World Bank. It focuses on taking money to the grassroots for the local people to decide on climate actions that suit their specific geographical areas based on indigenous knowledge.
Regarding the program, the Kiambu County Directorate of Climate Change and Energy has conducted a six-day exercise to monitor proposed projects following the county’s recent allocation of Sh 99 million from the fund.
The initiatives evaluated during the citizen engagement exercise, which was meant to asses where the proposed projects would be implemented were drilling and equipping of boreholes, construction of drainage systems, distribution of tree seedlings, creation of tree nurseries, distribution of water tanks, marking and pegging of riparian land, construction of fishponds, and solarisation of boreholes.
David Kuria, the County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Water and Environment lauded the program as a significant step forward in the battle against climate change, providing the much-needed solutions to the challenges faced in Kiambu County specifically.
The CEC also emphasized several key concerns, such as river pollution, illegal encroachment on riparian zones, obstruction of streams, land degradation, and inadequate drainage systems which have led to serious outcomes, including residents being compelled to leave their homes due to stagnant floodwater.
“This important initiative is set to benefit all 60 wards in the county; the exercise is ongoing, and the directorate is excited about the positive impact it will have across our community,” Kuria added.
He mentioned that the funds will be allocated to tackle these challenges by supporting crucial initiatives such as building farm ponds, implementing soil and water conservation measures, and setting up a fish cold storage facility, among other projects.
“This initiative not only addresses the issue of water scarcity but also plays a role in climate change adaptation in the region; by enhancing water availability, it helps to reduce the impact of erratic rainfall on agriculture and the livelihoods of local communities,” Kuria added.
In the 2023/2024 financial year, the National Treasury, through the steering committee of the Financing Locally Led Climate Action (FLLoCA) Programme, disbursed a total of Sh7.4 billion to 45 counties that qualified for the program.
