Interior Ministry Boosts County Commissioners’ Role in Climate Change Efforts

The Ministry of Interior and National Administration has strengthened the capacity of the 47 county commissioners in spearheading tree planting activities through training, an exercise jointly supported by the Ministry of Environment and Forestry.

The training curriculum, co-created with the Kenya School of Government, will empower the county commissioners in monitoring and reporting mechanisms for climate change interventions within their respective counties.

“The impacts of climate change are unprecedented with climate-induced extreme weather displacing over quarter of a million people and affecting close to half a million people in the country. As such, providing strategic preparedness and a coordination mechanism to support the efforts of the Ministry of Environment in the nationwide implementation of climate change interventions is key”, said Principal Secretary, State Department of Internal Security and National Administration Dr. Raymond Omollo.

“As a Ministry, through the National Climate Change Security Readiness Programme, we are committed to training county commissioners and over 15,000 National Government Administrative Officers (NGAOs) on climate change to empower them in mobilizing and supporting climate change interventions including the 15 billion tree campaign,” he said

The training is in line with the objective of the National Climate Change Security Readiness Programme to build the capacity of all National Government Administrative Officers for effective participation, stakeholder engagement, and coordination in the government’s climate change programs.

“It is important to fostering an understanding of different ecosystems and actions to support climate-resilient development and cooperation over shared resources. H.E President William Ruto has emphasized on the vital role leadership and commitment play in the success and for advancement of environmental conservation and climate action in Kenya,” said Principal Secretary for Climate Change and Forestry in the Ministry of Environment Hon. Gitonga Mugambi.

“It is against this backdrop that we are collaborating with other Ministries to ensure seamless coordination and overseeing of tree-planting campaign at the grassroots level, and we are confident that this collaboration with the Ministry of Interior will effectively advance these interventions,” he said.

The renewed tree planting efforts reflect Kenya’s commitment to achieving the United Nations-recommended minimum of 10 per cent forest cover per country, a target enshrined in national law.