Kajiado: Kajiado County has received a major financial boost in the fight against climate change, with Sh159.5 million allocated under the County Climate Resilience Investment Grant (CCRIG). The grant, which is part of the national Financing Locally Led Climate Action (FLLoCA) initiative, includes a Sh22 million contribution from the county government and is aimed at promoting climate-smart solutions that will help restore degraded ecosystems and strengthen the region's resilience to climate-related challenges.
According to Kenya News Agency, Environment, Climate Change and Forestry Cabinet Secretary Dr. Deborah Mlongo Barasa announced the allocation during her inspection visit to Kerarapon Springs at Oloolua ward in Kajiado County. Dr. Barasa, who was accompanied by Kajiado Deputy Governor Martin Moshisho and Deputy Director for Climate Change Thomas Lerenten, among other officials, emphasised the importance of aligning county-level initiatives with the National Climate Change Action Plan (NCCAP), which provides a strategic framework for unified climate response across Kenya.
Dr. Barasa stated that Kajiado is well-placed to lead in restoring ecosystems, with its current tree cover standing at 10 per cent spanning over 239,000 hectares, indicating the county's capability of greatly expanding its green footprint. She reiterated the Ministry's support for Kajiado's ambitious 10-year goal to plant and nurture 623 million trees, a key contribution toward Kenya's national target of 15 billion trees by 2032.
The CS also highlighted the critical role of collaborative efforts between national and county governments in advancing Kenya's environmental agenda. According to her, county climate officials have already undergone specialised training through the Climate Change Directorate, with additional capacity-building programmes planned for broader county leadership.
Kajiado's unique landscapes, ranging from forests and grasslands to rivers and wetlands, were identified as vital assets in achieving sustainable development goals. Dr. Barasa noted that the preservation of these ecological systems not only advances Kenya's afforestation agenda but also strengthens essential environmental services that benefit local communities.
Kajiado Deputy Governor noted that the Cabinet Secretary's visit marked a significant milestone in the operationalisation of FLLoCA at the county level. He reiterated that the financial allocation is expected to accelerate Kajiado's climate resilience initiatives, supporting Kenya's broader vision for environmental sustainability and green economic development.
Moshisho emphasised that the construction of a protective wall at the Kerarapon water springs and catchment area will safeguard the site from encroachment and benefit the community by preventing dumping and reducing siltation, thereby ensuring a consistent supply of clean water flowing downstream all the way to the Mbagathi River.