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Homa Bay has today launched a climate change governance framework in an effort to operationalize and strengthen mitigation within the county.

Governor Gladys Wanga who was accompanied by her deputy, Oyugi Magwanga unveiled three key regulations including policy, Climate Change Act and the County’s Climate Change Risk and Vulnerability Assessment Report that will help the county combat climate change.

Speaking during the launch in Homa Bay, the governor assured stakeholders of a speedy scaling up of climate change actions to ensure the county’s effective response, adaptation and mitigation of climate change effects.

“Homa Bay faces serious climate change risk and vulnerabilities, affecting lives and livelihoods and exposing our people to climatic hazards,” Wanga said, adding that her administration has so far taken steps to meet its obligations on climate change through the act in establishing County Dialogue Forums (CDF) in 10 wards with support from partners.

According to the Governor, the county government will mainstream climate change actions into the third generation of the County Integrated Development Plan (CIDP) whose formulation is currently underway.

“I have directed all county executive committee members to ensure climate change actions are factored in their departments’ development planning and budgeting,” She said.

The Governor noted the county’s Climate Change Risk and Vulnerability Assessment Report by Transparency International clearly established the most affected areas in terms of deforestation and land degradation caused by sand harvesting the unsustainable harvesting of trees.

“We are in the process of establishing our action plan that will quality Homa Bay to win grants to tackle effects of climate change,” Wanga revealed.

She revealed Homa Bay was selected as one of the sub-national cities in Africa to build climate change resilience.

The county boss further revealed beautification plans in partnership with Kenya Commercial Bank, to upgrade Rose Muhando grounds in Homa Bay town into a nature park.

Homa Bay recently enacted the Homa Bay County Climate Change Act 2022 that will guide formulation of policies regulations and legal framework for climate action.

Deputy Governor, Oyugi Magwanga lauded efforts from stakeholders and NGOs terming their contribution as key because it now gives the county government the greenlight to source for funds to facilitate action at the ward level.

His sentiments were echoed by the Climate Change county executive member, Dr. Joash Aloo noting that the department will work closely with stakeholders to ensure communities at the grassroots are able to mitigate and adapt to climate challenges.

Present were stakeholders from government agencies and NGOs including; Financing Locally led Climate Action Program (FLLoCA), Devolution and Climate Change Adaptation programme (DaCCA), county officials and county directorate of climate change among other guests.