Council of Governors (CoG) Chairperson Anne Waiguru has appealed for collaboration between the United Nations (UN) and county governments in combating greenhouse gas emissions and management of climate change.
Speaking during a roundtable meeting with UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed on Wednesday, October 5, the Kirinyaga County Chief underscored the urgent need for concerted efforts to alleviate greenhouse gas emissions that have been blamed for the rampant drought situation in parts of Kenya.
The CoG chair noted that greenhouse gas emissions remain an obstacle to the nation’s quest for food security owing to the far-reaching effects on climate.
According to Waiguru, county governments are best placed to manage issues relating to the environment, climate change and water conservation.
As such, she argued that enhancing the ability of counties to combat the environment and climate concerns would come in handy in solving the endemic drought problems.
The governor called on the global body to prioritize extending support to County Governments to develop County Climate innovation hubs.
“County Governments are assigned specific functions and responsibilities including implementation of national policies on the environment, climate change, natural resources management, forestry, soil and water conservation and disaster risk management,” she stated.
“I, therefore, propose that the UN deliberately collaborate with County Governments to enhance their capacity to mobilize additional financing including green and blue bonds,” the Chair said.
According to Waiguru, county governments have endeavoured to lay down structures for the management of climate change through the creation of special portfolios at the community level.
The systems, the governor says, will enhance the inclusion of members of the community in the formulation of policies on climate change. This will in the long-run help to avert drought in future.
“All the County Governments have designated County Executive Committee Members (CECMs) in charge of Climate Change and localization of climate Action at the Community level- established 26 sub-County climate change-planning committees. 30 Counties have ward climate change planning committees," she noted.
The discussions brought together governors- among other partners as part of the UN Deputy Secretary General's tour to four African countries to advocate for climate action.
