Tana River County champions people-centred climate solutions at COP30
Governor Godhana leads high-level COP30 engagements to attract climate finance, strengthen global partnerships, and accelerate Tana River’s shift to resilient, sustainable development.
Tana River County is stepping up its drive for climate resilience and sustainable development, using high-level engagements at the COP30 global climate summit in Belém, Brazil, to strengthen partnerships, attract investment, and accelerate action.
For a region long plagued by recurring floods, prolonged droughts, and destructive river breakages, the county’s presence at COP30 represents a pivotal move toward securing the climate finance and technical support needed to protect livelihoods and build long-term resilience.
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Governor Dhadho Godhana led the county’s delegation, accompanied by the Sustainable Tana Engagement Platform (STEP) team, participating in a series of strategic forums with investors, government leaders, African multilateral banks, and civil society organisations.
In one session, Governor Godhana met Kenya's Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Forestry, Deborah Mlongo Barasa, along with other international stakeholders, to explore opportunities to boost climate financing for Tana River.
Tana River Governor Dhadho Godhana, who led the county’s delegation to the COP30 global climate summit in Belém, Brazil. (Photo: Courtesy)
Engaging with investors
"We are engaging with investors, African banks, and civil society to build a platform that will unlock climate financing for our people," the governor said.
Also in attendance were representatives from the Association of Manufacturers in Brazil and senior global climate financing experts, signalling a growing network of potential collaborators.
At another session held at the African Pavilion, Governor Godhana joined senior Kenyan officials, including CS Mlongo, Dr Peter Oluoch Odhengo of the National Treasury, and FLLoCA National Coordinator Malik Aman.
The discussions focused on Africa’s progress in scaling locally-led climate action, emphasising new partnership opportunities with Nordic countries in areas such as adaptation financing, blue economy innovation, and sustainable resource management.
"Africa must move from commitments to concrete programmes that deliver results for our communities," the governor said.
"By joining forces with Nordic partners, we are signalling that Africa is not just a beneficiary of climate aid but a partner in providing climate solutions."
Development financing
Tana River’s climate engagements also extended into development financing, with the Governor holding talks with KCB Bank on innovative models for green housing and infrastructure.
The discussions explored financing for the county’s upcoming urban centres and the creation of eco-village clusters—sustainable settlements built around clean energy, green buildings, and integrated community planning.
"Tana River's growth must be green, inclusive, and anchored in sustainability," Governor Godhana said.
"We are ready to invest in infrastructure that uplifts lives, preserves our ecosystems, and drives our blue economy agenda."
Throughout the summit, the Tana River delegation participated in a caucus of African multilateral banks, industry practitioners, academics, and civil society groups.
The forum explored ways to scale climate solutions, improve policy frameworks, and operationalise COP30 commitments.
Sustainable economic growth
Discussions covered funding mechanisms, green infrastructure debt instruments, capacity building, and models for sustainable economic growth.
With a history of devastating floods along the Tana River basin, severe droughts that decimate livestock, and increasingly unpredictable weather patterns, the county aims to leverage its COP30 engagements as a springboard for long-term resilience.
"Our participation at COP30 is not just symbolic," Governor Godhana said.
"It is a clear signal that Tana River is ready for climate-smart investments—and we are committed to translating conversations into concrete, sustainable action."
As COP30 continues, Tana River County positions itself as a frontier region ready to collaborate globally while advancing locally-led, people-centred climate solutions.
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