Sh1bn shot in the arm for climate change war

Kenya is among four African countries that will benefit from a Sh1.2 billion fund to mitigate the effects of climate change in arid and semi-arid areas.

The other three are Burkina Faso, Tanzania and Senegal. The money is part of $70 million that will be spent in Africa and South Asia.

The money has been provided by the Department for International Development and International Development Research Centre through the Collaborative Adaptation Research Initiative in Africa and Asia.

Speaking on Tuesday in Nairobi, IDRC senior specialist Evans Kituyi said the projects would help alleviate the effects brought about by the changing weather patterns, which had wiped out livestock in some areas leading to food insecurity.

The interventions will be in the form of improvement of breeds and crops to make them more resilient to the climatic changes.

“We have moved to identify vulnerable communities for development projects unlike in the past when (organisations) would start with models. We are for rapid and inclusive climate resilient development involving partners and adaptation options,” he said.

Mr Kituyi said countries such as Kenya, which have 80 per cent of rangelands, should make huge investments in these areas to mitigate the negative effects of increased drought and other natural disasters.

A study would be done in each country and the various interventions agreed jointly with the communities.

Mr Jesse Njoka, the director of Dry Land and Ecosystem and Society, said: “Kenya has committed to invest $2.3 billion in the next 10 years in the arid and semi-arid areas, which is factored into the medium term review for education, water and security.

“The government should put more money in the projects as the security in these areas improves.”