County governments key in fight against climate change

Country Governments are critical actors in Kenya's responses in dealing with the thorny issue and challenges brought about by climate change. The devolved units are pivotal because of their proximity to the grassroots communities and their mandate as prescribed under the devolved governance structure.

The counties are more strategic in developing and executing home-grown climate action strategies to the specific environmental and socio-economic conditions of their regions which ensures relevant and targeted interventions on localised climate issues such as deforestation, flooding and droughts. Indeed, the countries, in collaboration with other players such as the National government, development partners and Civil Society, can ensure that real-time and effective interventions meet the needs of the most vulnerable groups, who often bear the hardest impacts of climate change. The counties are therefore well-positioned to effectively undertake public education and awareness campaigns among grassroots communities to embrace climate-resilient lifestyles and practices such as sustainable agriculture, renewable energy, recycling and waste management among others.