The County Department of Water Environment Climate Change and Natural Resources, today launched the Ward Climate Change Planning Committees (WCCPC) and Environment committee at the Mama Grace Onyango Social Center in a ceremony presided over by Kisumu Governor Prof Anyang’ Nyong’o who is also the Chair of the Climate Change Planning Council.
The launch brought together members from the 35 wards across the county representing the WCCPC, the County Climate Change Planning committee chaired by the Chief Officer for Water Environment Climate Change and Natural Resources and the Council which is an advisory body.
This comes after the gazettement of the committee members in the Kenya gazette following the enactment of the Kisumu County Climate Change Act 2020.
In his speech at the launch, Governor Nyong’o reaffirmed the role of the committees in addressing climate change issues acknowledging that climate change has devastated many communities in the region and that the committees will help to develop and implement climate change adaptation and mitigation measures.
The Governor also emphasized the importance of community participation in climate change action, stating that the WCCPC will be responsible for conducting participatory climate risk assessments to identify the needs of their communities. He also said that the committees will be responsible for monitoring and engaging with technical officers to ensure that climate change projects are implemented effectively.
The launch of the climate change planning committees is a significant step forward in Kisumu County’s efforts to address climate change. The committees will play a vital role in developing and implementing climate change adaptation and mitigation measures at the community level.
The new climate change planning committees will benefit Kisumu in a number of ways. First, the committees will help to ensure that climate change is considered in all aspects of development planning. “This is important because climate change is already having a significant impact on Kisumu, and it is important to take steps to adapt to the effects of climate change and mitigate its impacts.” Stated the Governor.
Second, the committees will help to ensure that climate change action is inclusive and equitable. The committees are made up of representatives from different groups in the community, including women, youth, and the elderly. This will help to ensure that the needs of all groups are considered when developing and implementing climate change solutions.
Thirdly, the committees will help to build resilience to climate change at the community level. The committees will work with communities to identify their vulnerabilities to climate change and develop plans to adapt. This will help to reduce the impacts of climate change on communities and livelihoods.
Overall, the launch of the new climate change planning committees is a positive step forward for Kisumu County, noting that the committees have the potential to play a vital role in helping Kisumu to adapt to and mitigate the effects of climate change.
The Governor was disappointed at the level of quarrying business taking place in Kisumu, warning that the business is a hazard in the community. He urged the members of the county assembly to enact a regulation that will oversee the opening up of quarries and to ensure that they are filled up and trees planted over the holes.
A declaration by the members of the WCCPC was also presented to the governor as the team proclaimed their commitment towards the community in ensuring resilience.
In fulfilling their roles, the WCCPC, the CPC and the Council shall aid in ensuring active community participation in climate change discussions and actions as well as support in preparing community members for disaster management. The WCCPC will further ensure the county climate resilience fund trickles down transparently. The climate change fund is set to facilitate counties to access and utilize climate finance from different sources to build communities’ resilience and reduce vulnerabilities to a changing climate in a more efficient way.
Communication Unit
October 19th, 2023
