Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga on Tuesday launched a policy framework to help mitigate adverse climate change impact.
The framework contains the County Climate Change Policy 2021, the County Climate Change Act 2022, and the County's Climate Change Risk and Vulnerability Assessment Report.
Governor Wanga and her deputy, Oyugi Magwanga, unveiled the report in Homa Bay town.
Wanga said they are going to speed up climate change actions to enhance effective response, adaptation and mitigation of the effects.
Homa Bay is among counties facing serious climate change risks such as floods, drought and degradation of soil. This has caused vulnerability and livelihoods of residents.
“There are many risks climate change exposes people to and should be addressed. Adaptation of the policy will enable the county government to fight against climate change,” Wanga said.
The governor said her administration will incorporate climate change actions into the third generation of the County Integrated Development Plan, whose formulation is ongoing.
All county executive committee members were directed to ensure climate change actions are factored in development planning and budgeting in their departments.
Wanga said the county's Climate Change Risk and Vulnerability Assessment Report by Transparency International clearly established the areas most affected by deforestation and land degradation caused by unsustainable tree and sand harvesting.
“This county is one of the subnational cities in Africa for climate change resilience. Our action plan will enable us to acquire grants to tackle the effects of climate change,” she said.
The county government is working on a partnership with Kenya Commercial Bank to beautify and upgrade Rose Muhando grounds into a nature park.
Magwanga commended stakeholders and NGOs for their contributions in addressing climate change.
“Let the partnership and more collaboration continue so that we can win this war together,” he said.
