Counties Emphasize Local Climate Action Strategies for Environmental and Socio-Economic Development

County governments in Kenya are placing a strong emphasis on developing and executing homegrown climate action strategies tailored to the specific needs of their regions, with a focus on addressing localized climate issues such as deforestation, flooding, and droughts. Dr. Nelson Maara, the Nakuru County Executive Committee Member for Water, Environment, Climate Change, Energy, and Natural Resources, highlighted the importance of integrating climate resilience into infrastructure, development, urban planning, and disaster preparedness to reduce the vulnerability of inhabitants to climate-related risks and shocks.

Key Takeaways:

• County governments are better positioned to develop and execute climate action strategies that cater to local environmental and socio-economic conditions, ensuring targeted interventions on specific climate issues such as deforestation, flooding, and droughts.
• Dr. Maara emphasized the need for public education and awareness campaigns among grassroots communities to adopt climate-resilient lifestyles and practices, including sustainable agriculture, renewable energy, recycling, and waste management.
• The integration of climate resilience measures aligns with the County Climate Action Plans (CCAP) and the National Climate Change Action Plan (NCCAP) III-2023-2027.
• Collaboration with other stakeholders is crucial for ensuring effective interventions that meet the needs of vulnerable groups.
• The County Government of Nakuru has prioritized the deployment of renewable energy technologies, including geothermal, biogas systems, solar energy, and clean cooking solutions, to mitigate the effects of climate change and reduce cases of diseases caused by dirty fuels.
• Green energy plays a vital role in preserving the environment by alleviating the need to extract biomass energy sources such as wood fuel from forests and ecosystems.
• Statistics from the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, and Forestry show that cooking contributes to 70% of Greenhouse Gas emissions in Kenya, with 93.2% of rural households using wood fuel as their primary fuel.
• The County Government of Nakuru is supporting regenerative agriculture with clean energy solutions that involve integrating renewable energy technologies like solar, wind, and geothermal into farming practices to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and promote sustainable, environmentally friendly farming.
• Agriculture is a significant contributor to Greenhouse Gas emissions, accounting for 20% of GHGs.
• Integrating clean and renewable energy into agricultural practices would lead to cost reductions in production, increased yields, and improved food security for residents.

Statistics:

• Cooking contributes 70% to Greenhouse Gas emissions in Kenya (Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, and Forestry).
• 93.2% of rural households in Kenya use wood fuel as their primary fuel.
• 30% of the Kenyan population uses Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), with only 3% of households owning an electric cooking appliance.
• Agriculture accounts for 20% of Greenhouse Gas emissions (GHGs).
• Kenya's population is expected to reach 96 million by 2050, emphasizing the need for sustainable food production and addressing climate change impacts from agricultural practices.
• The County Government of Nakuru aims to convert approximately 300 metric tonnes of garbage generated daily into market-ready eco-friendly construction materials and decorative home goods, such as bricks, tiles, and artworks, among others.

Sources:

• Kenya News Agency (August 20, 2025)
• Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, and Forestry (Statistics)
• County Government of Nakuru (Statements by Dr. Nelson Maara)
• Kenya National Research Festival (KNRF)

Egerton University's Njoro Main Campus

• National Treasury through the Programme Implementation Unit (NTPIU)

and the County Climate Change Units (CCCUs)