Uasin Gishu County Governor Dr. Jonathan Bii Chelilim has hosted a team assessing the progress of projects under the Financing Locally-Led Climate Action (FLLoCA) Programme.
The visit marked a significant step in evaluating the impact of climate action initiatives across the county, with the goal of ensuring sustainability and continued support.
Governor Bii highlighted the success stories that have resulted from the FLLoCA programme in Uasin Gishu, emphasizing the positive impact it has had on the six sub-counties.
He also expressed gratitude to the funders for their investment in the county and commended the local team for meeting the programme’s requirements.
“We are thankful to the funders for considering our great county in the programme,” said Dr. Bii.
“We fulfilled our seed contribution to the County Climate Change Fund, a key requirement to secure the remaining grant of 173 million shillings,” he added.
This, Bii said, had enabled the completion of various impactful projects such as the Laimaiwet Wetland Conservation, Lemoru Water Projects, Moisbridge River Nzoia Riparian Area Conservation, and the Chagaiya Water Projects.
How FLLoCA projects have benefited Uasin Gishu locals
The projects have significantly benefited thousands of people, providing clean water for household use, schools, and hospitals.
While acknowledging the challenges faced at the beginning of the programme, including delays in disbursements, Governor Bii remained optimistic that these issues would be addressed in the upcoming funding cycle.
He further reaffirmed the county’s commitment to driving forward climate action and ensuring long-term sustainability for all initiatives.
Deputy Governor Evans Kapkea also addressed the team, underscoring the importance of continuity and long-term support for all sectors involved in climate change actions.
He commended the progress made, particularly in water conservation and environmental restoration, and emphasized the need for a strategic approach to maintain the momentum.
County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Water , Irrigation, Sanitation, Energy, Environment, Natural Resources and Climate Change, Anthony Sitienei, expressed confidence in the success of the assessment process.
He assured the assessment team of full cooperation and commitment, emphasizing that the county would ensure the smooth execution of the assessment to increase future allocations.
Transparency in FLLoCA projects
In addition, Chief Officer Mark Some emphasized the importance of documentation and transparency in the process.
“This is an able team, and maximum cooperation is required to ensure all necessary documents are provided. The FLLoCA programme is crucial for achieving our county’s climate goals,” he noted.
Meanwhile, Kipchumba Barno, the Director of Environment, Climate Change, and Natural Resources, acknowledged the expertise of the assessment team and assured them that the county would fully adhere to the processes to guarantee success.
George Ogola, who is the lead in the Annual Performance Assessment, outlined that the assessment process would evaluate the progress of FLLoCA for 2023/2024 and would play a pivotal role in determining future funding allocations.
The assessment, which is expected to take five days, will include site visits to ongoing projects across the county.
“Every piece of information has to be substantiated to ensure it reflects the true representation of all funds disbursed and spent,” said Mary Mwangi, a member of the assessment team.
The process will focus on ensuring that the minimum conditions required for continued support are met, including the establishment of a climate unit, prioritization of climate change actions, and the allocation of at least 1.5% of the county’s budget to climate change initiatives.
The programme also calls for clear documentation of financial progress and the implementation of projects licensed by NEMA.
Performance measures for FLLoCA
Key performance measures that will be evaluated during the assessment include:
- Budget provisions for the County Climate Change Fund (CCCF)
- Absorption rates of allocated funds
- The use of CCRI grants
- Social resilience at the ward level
- Participatory management in decision-making
- Establishment of a Grievance Redress Committee (GRC)
- CCU funding levels
- National Climate Change Action Plan (NCCAP) compliance
- Capacity building for climate change actions
The outcome of the assessment will determine Uasin Gishu’s eligibility for future funding under the FLLoCA programme, which is crucial for the continued success of the county’s climate change initiatives.
With strong commitment from both the county leadership and the community, Uasin Gishu is poised to maintain its trajectory toward sustainable development and climate resilience.
The county’s engagement with the assessment team reflects its dedication to building a more climate-resilient future for its residents.
