The County directorate of climate change organized for public participation in the Kisumu County Climate Change Fund Regulations 2023 across the county.
The regulation is a strategic approach informed by the County Climate Act 2020 set to provide the road map on the management and administrative procedures for the Kisumu County Climate Change Fund to be established under section 5, to provide for a framework of resource mobilization for mitigating and emergency response towards the effect and impact of Climate Change related disasters.
The regulation will also be widely used to address the unequal historical responsibility that communities bear about the climate crisis particularly the most vulnerable communities, who more often than not have contributed the least to the crisis.
Public participation emphasizes community involvement in determining the issue addressed through discussion, and action to effect change as a part of the regulations process that is set to address broader concerns that county agendas prioritize climate over the real needs of communities.
So far, the directorate has conducted public participation in the 8 sub-counties, including Nyando,Kadibo, Seme, Kisumu West, Kisumu East, Kisumu Central, Muhoroni and Nyakach.
In Kadibo the exercise was graced by the Assistant County Commissioner, Mr Zachary Kimani representing the Deputy County commissioner, flanked by Administrative Chiefs, Ward administrators among other County officials.
Mr. Kimani applauded the exercise terming a people driven and urged the community to embrace it.
Public participation recognizes that everyone has something important to say and gives everyone a voice. The regulation’s mandate extensive obligations to engage the public in decision-making on local projects that will eventually drive climate change actions in the County.
Climate Change poses grave threats to the communities across Kisumu County especially flood affected wards. The regulation indeed offers opportunity to address the threats for a faster recovery and to build climate resilience over time by scaling up climate resilient infrastructure.
According to Kisumu County Climate Change Act, Kisumu Climate Change Action Plan, the County is stepping up support in dealing with climate challenges through a carefully designed regulation.
