This archive report was first published on 11 October 2019.
On October 11, 2019, the World Bank announced a partnership with four counties in Kenya to address the rising cases of flooding and drought attributed to climate change.
The Kenya Accountable Devolution Programme has identified Narok, Makueni, Siaya, and Kwale as pilot counties for the two-year project.
Narok County, which has recorded perennial flooding for years, has already benefited from a mobile early flood warning system under the programme.
During a meeting in Naivasha, World Bank representatives met with governors from the four counties to review the gains made from the project.
Makueni Governor Kivutha Kibwana stated that the programme would complement the efforts of the National and County Governments to mitigate climate change.
He added that Makueni has implemented policies and regulations, committing one percent of the county's budget to environmental conservation.
“Climate change is real and we are paying for our consequences through the frequent floods and drought in various parts of the country,” Governor Kibwana said.
Representing the Council of Governors, Vihiga Governor Dr. Wilbert Ottichilo stated that they were working closely with the World Bank to extend the programme to other counties.
He added that the four counties have benefited from the programme and that environmental policies are already in force.
“We are in discussion with the World Bank so that this programme that targets to address issues around climate change can be scaled up to all the 47 counties,” Dr. Ottichilo said.
According to Margaret Arnold, a senior Development Specialist from the World Bank, they had committed USD2m towards assisting the four counties.
Arnold stated that they are keen for the counties to integrate climate and risk management into County Integrated Management Plans (CIDP).
“We have started with four pilot counties in the project and in the future, we shall look if it’s possible to carry the gains into the other counties,” Arnold said.
Nicholas Soikan from the World Bank identified Narok as one of the counties that had largely benefited from the programme in addressing disaster management and early warning systems.
“In the coming days, we and other stakeholders shall be launching a mobile-based flood early warning system in Narok,” Soikan said.
