Counties receive Sh7 billion to invest in green projects

Counties receive Sh7 billion to invest in green projects

The funds will help county governments operationalise their County Climate Change Action Plans (CCCAPs) and invest in priority climate resilience initiatives tailored to their specific vulnerabilities. The ultimate goal is to advance a more sustainable and climate-secure future.

The National Treasury has released Sh6.97 billion to 42 counties across the country to finance green projects as part of the national climate action drive.

The funding, allocated for the 2024/25 financial year, aims to spark a wave of locally-led interventions in counties frequently affected by climate-related disasters such as droughts, floods and food insecurity.

It forms the second tranche of the County Climate Resilience Investment (CCRI) Grants under the Financing Locally-Led Climate Action (FLLoCA) Programme.

The funds will help county governments operationalise their County Climate Change Action Plans (CCCAPs) and invest in priority climate resilience initiatives tailored to their specific vulnerabilities. The ultimate goal is to advance a more sustainable and climate-secure future.

With climate change disproportionately affecting vulnerable rural communities, the Exchequer notes that the CCRI Grants are designed to empower these groups by supporting projects such as reforestation, water conservation and sustainable agriculture.

By anchoring investment at the grassroots, the initiative puts local actors at the forefront of climate resilience efforts, ensuring adaptation measures reflect on-the-ground realities and needs.

National Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi, commenting on the disbursement, said the move reinforces the country’s commitment to empowering county governments as key drivers of climate resilience.

“By channelling resources directly to the local level, we are strengthening institutional capacity, accelerating adaptation efforts and ensuring that climate action delivers tangible benefits to communities most at risk,” said Mbadi.

Since its launch in 2022, the FLLoCA programme has expanded to cover 1,137 of Kenya’s 1,450 wards, representing 78.4 per cent of the national target.

The initiative is a flagship element of Kenya’s climate change response, grounded in the principles of devolution, inclusion and resilience.

Aligned with the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), the programme has enabled all 47 counties to enact County Climate Change Fund Acts, unlocking Sh7.94 billion in county allocations for community-prioritised investments in water, agriculture and environmental restoration.

According to the National Treasury, these efforts have led to the completion of over 503 climate resilience sub-projects, with 558 more underway, directly benefiting around 1.146 million Kenyans and creating more than 57,000 jobs.

Furthermore, the programme’s focus on climate-smart agriculture has helped restore 27,640 hectares of land and provided technical training to farmers.

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