By Matilda Atieno
The County Department of Water, Environment, Climate Change and Natural Resources hosted the Ambassador Sebastian Groth, the German envoy to Kenya who paid an official visit to Kisumu, flanked by Mr. Peter Odhengo, the National Coordinator for the Financing Locally-Led Climate Action (FLLoCA) Program.
The visit kicked off with a stakeholder meeting where Ambassador Groth met the CEC member for Finance and economic planning Mr. George Okong’o, among other County Officials from the department of Water, Environment and Climate Change, and it culminated to a tour of project sites supported by FLLoCA, to assess the progress of ongoing initiatives and engage directly with beneficiaries.
During the tour, the Ambassador visited the expansion of the SISO II canal to reach Kochogo and Lower Kakola irrigation scheme in Ahero ward, the establishment of Gem Rae fruit tree nursery in North Nyakah ward, the expansion of irrigation in the prone area of Nyachoda Magina in East Kano Wawidhi Ward, and promotion of solarised irrigation to women, youth, and PWD groups in Ombeyi ward. Ambassador Groth also interacted with community members and local leaders as he commended the transformative impact the projects have had in improving livelihoods, enhancing resilience, and challenged the communities to venture into new crops to foster sustainable development.
Community representatives shared success stories, highlighting how the interventions have boosted incomes, improved access to essential services, and created opportunities for youth and women. For instance, fruit tree plantations in North Nyakach are set to improve livelihoods as well as improve resilience in the area.
The Ambassador reaffirmed his government’s support for Kisumu’s climate-resilient investment agenda and pledged continued collaboration to expand similar initiatives across the county. The Local Ward Climate Change Committee Members, in turn, expressed their gratitude for the support, noting that the projects are changing lives and strengthening community resilience against challenges such as climate change, food insecurity, and unemployment.
