(By Abraham Barsosio – Program Manager-County Coordination)
Kenya is an emerging economy and is vulnerable to the impact of climate change. Recognizing this vulnerability, the country has since 2015 intensified its efforts to address its vulnerability to climate change through various programs, such as Financing Locally-Led Climate Action (FLLoCA), focusing on areas like capacity strengthening and empowering local communities through programs they can relate to on a day-to-day basis.
There is no doubt that, for some time now, the FLLoCA program has been reshaping how counties approach climate resilience by decentralizing climate finance and empowering communities, hence fostering a transformation in county-led climate initiatives. The fruits of this program have already started being realized at the community level.
FLLoCA’s strength lies in its emphasis on local governance. Counties establish Ward Climate Change Planning Committees (WCCPCs), County Climate Change Planning Committees (CCCPCs), and County Climate Change Steering Committees (CCCSCs) to ensure inclusive decision-making. In Siaya County, for instance, this structure has facilitated the submission of 91 project proposals from 30 wards, with 21 shortlisted for funding.
In Nakuru County, the formation of 55 ward committees, inclusive of women, youth, and marginalized groups, has been pivotal. These committees have identified local climate risks and developed proposals for interventions like riparian restoration and waste management. Notably, the county allocated 55 million shillings from its budget, supplemented by 188 million shillings from FLLoCA investment grants, to support these initiatives.
When it comes to infrastructure, FLLoCA’s impact is evident in tangible projects across counties:
Kisumu County: The commissioning of the Kisumu Green Resource Center, a 120-million-shilling facility, aims to enhance climate awareness and provide real-time data for adaptation strategies.
The major components of the resource center include a modern online library, research, publication, and media center that will contain climate-related publication books, research, and IEC materials, an innovation Center which will provide green technology and climate innovations, community state-of-the-art hall, which will generate revenue for self-sustainability through meetings and other related activities, and data center for purposes of scenario planning and forecasting as well as departmental office that will house the Department of Water, Environment, Climate Change, and Natural Resources for Kisumu County.
Tharaka Nithi County: Investments include the construction of sand dams and irrigation projects to bolster water security and agricultural productivity.
Bomet County: Initiatives like the solarization of water pumps and the distribution of over 55,000 fruit seedlings promote sustainable agriculture and renewable energy use. In May, with FLLoCA, the county, through its Department of Environment and Climate Change, has commenced the distribution of over 19,500 avocado seedlings to farmer groups. This extensive initiative spans eleven wards across Sotik, Konoin, Bomet East, and Bomet Central Sub-Counties missed out in the initial distribution last year.
Beyond infrastructure, FLLoCA emphasizes capacity building and policy formulation. In Marsabit County, the development of the Climate Change Adaptation Policy and the Climate Change Fund Act, which allocates 2% of the development budget to climate initiatives, exemplifies this approach.
Similarly, in Trans-Nzoia County, workshops have been conducted to educate Members of the County Assembly on climate action, fostering collaboration between the executive and legislative arms of the county government. According to the county, climate education through initiatives by FLLoCA is essential to equip people with the skills and knowledge required to drive meaningful climate action.
Despite progress, some counties risk missing out on FLLoCA funds due to unmet prerequisites, such as establishing climate finance institutions and allocating a minimum of 1.5% of their development budgets to climate change. For instance, most devolved units have failed to amend county environmental laws to be in line with the national laws, which include the Climate Change Act of 2016. At the same time, the counties have also failed to implement legislative policies and institutional architectures that address climate change and its impacts to be in line with the objectives and expectations of FLLoCA.
The truth is that the Financing Locally Led Climate Action (FLLoCA) program is catalyzing a profound shift in how climate action is conceptualized and implemented in Kenya. With its focus on empowering counties and communities, FLLoCA is decentralizing climate resilience efforts, ensuring that interventions are tailored to the specific needs, vulnerabilities, and strengths of each region. This localized approach not only enhances the relevance and effectiveness of climate solutions but also fosters a stronger sense of ownership among local populations.
Communities are no longer passive recipients of climate projects; they are now active participants, shaping their climate-resilient futures. Through capacity building, FLLoCA equips local governments and civil society with the knowledge and tools needed to design and execute effective climate action plans.
At the same time, investments in climate-resilient infrastructure, such as improved water systems, green energy initiatives, and sustainable agriculture, are laying the physical foundation for long-term adaptation and mitigation. Aligning national and county-level policies to support these efforts remains crucial, as cohesive policy frameworks ensure that local actions are supported and scaled effectively. Continued financial commitment, technical support, and political goodwill will be vital in sustaining this momentum.
