By Matilda Atieno
Kisumu reaffirmed its commitment to combating climate change as the Deputy Governor, Dr. Mathew Owili, hosted a courtesy call with key representatives from the Ecumenical Centre for Justice and Peace (ECJP) and the German political foundation, the Hanns Seidel Foundation (HSF).
The delegation led by Henning Senger of the Hanns Seidel Foundation and Cardinal Elias Komenya, the Coordinator of the Ecumenical Centre for Justice and Peace (ECJP), focused on exploring and consolidating strategies for advancing climate-resilient actions across the County, particularly emphasizing grassroots and policy-level interventions.
The Deputy Governor underscored the County dedication to environmental sustainability, echoing the sentiment of ongoing county-led initiatives like the ambitious goal of increasing tree cover to mitigate carbon emissions.
“Collaborative partnerships are the bedrock of effective climate action,” stated Dr. Owili. “The expertise and community reach of the Ecumenical Centre for Justice and Peace, combined with the policy and capacity-building focus of the Hanns Seidel Foundation, will significantly enhance our local efforts to adapt to and mitigate the adverse effects of climate change.”
The ECJP, a key partner in various local environmental efforts, including public participation and tree planting initiatives, reiterated its focus on involving the community, particularly faith-based groups, in conservation and climate justice advocacy. Cardinal Elias Komenya highlighted the importance of engaging communities directly in implementing sustainable practices, noting that true resilience begins at the grassroots level. ECJP work, such as promoting tree planting, directly supports the County greening agenda.
The Hanns Seidel Foundation, known for its work in promoting good governance and civic education, particularly on matters of climate change policy and adaptation, expressed its readiness to support the capacity building of local leaders and communities. Mr. Henning Senger stressed that the foundation is keen on policy interventions that create an enabling environment for climate mitigation and adaptation, ensuring projects are sustainable and impact a wide range of citizens. HSF has a broader focus on policy, gender equality, and climate change in Kenya, supporting a constructive dialogue between the government and civil society.
The Department of Water, Environment, Climate Change, and Natural Resources, led by CECM Judith Oluoch, highlighted the department’s efforts through the existing climate-related projects, which include water and environment conservation, solid waste management, as well as Afforestation and reforestation to improve the County tree cover and forest cover.
The courtesy call marks a significant step in mobilizing external support and aligning local, national, and international efforts to secure a more sustainable and climate-resilient future for the people of Kisumu.
You can hear Kisumu County’s Deputy Governor’s views on air quality in this video: https://youtu.be/-Hpj-W-VMAs This video is relevant as it features the Deputy Governor of Kisumu speaking on environmental concerns, which is a key topic of the courtesy call.