Treasury Cabinet Secretary Njuguna Ndung’u and other officials. Photo/Courtesy
By Daisy Okiring
The National Treasury has unveiled a Ksh34 billion initiative aimed at strengthening climate resilience and boosting livelihoods in rural areas most affected by climate change.
The Treasury said the programme will fund projects designed to improve water security, promote climate-smart agriculture, and support community-driven conservation efforts. The initiative, targeting arid and semi-arid counties, seeks to shield vulnerable households from recurring droughts, floods, and other extreme weather events that have disrupted food security and displaced thousands in recent years.
Treasury officials noted that the programme will also focus on expanding access to clean energy and supporting smallholder farmers with sustainable technologies. “This investment is not only about protecting communities from the impacts of climate change, but also about creating economic opportunities that improve livelihoods in rural Kenya,” an official said during the launch.
Partnership with development agencies
The climate resilience initiative will be implemented in partnership with global development agencies, non-governmental organizations, and county governments. Funding will come from both government resources and international climate finance partners.
According to the Treasury, counties will play a key role in identifying priority projects, ensuring that interventions respond directly to the unique challenges faced by local communities. Development agencies will provide technical expertise, while the national government coordinates policy frameworks and resource mobilization.
The Treasury further highlighted that part of the funds will go towards improving early warning systems for disasters, enhancing research on climate change, and supporting innovations that strengthen adaptation. This is expected to reduce the social and economic costs of disasters that frequently affect rural families.
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Driving Kenya’s green transition
The Ksh34 billion package comes as Kenya intensifies its transition to a green economy. Officials said the programme complements existing policies such as the Climate Change Act, the Green Economy Strategy, and the National Adaptation Plan.
Treasury Cabinet Secretary Njuguna Ndung’u said the government was determined to align development with sustainability goals. He noted that while climate change has posed major challenges to agriculture and water resources, it also presents opportunities for new investments in renewable energy, reforestation, and sustainable farming.
“This initiative demonstrates Kenya’s commitment to climate action while ensuring that no rural community is left behind in the development journey,” Prof. Ndung’u stated.
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Environmental experts welcomed the programme but urged strict monitoring to ensure that funds are used effectively. They stressed that past climate projects had suffered from poor coordination and accountability gaps.
The Treasury assured Kenyans that transparent systems would be put in place, including public reporting mechanisms and collaboration with oversight institutions, to ensure that the programme delivers tangible benefits.
With droughts, floods, and food shortages becoming increasingly common, the government hopes the Ksh34 billion investment will mark a turning point for rural resilience and sustainable growth.
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