22/11/2023
TECHNICAL MEETING ON CLIMATE ACTION IN THE NORTH RIFT ECONOMIC BLOC.
As the effects of climate change continue to bite in most parts of the country, the North Rift Economic Bloc (NOREB) region is planning to come up with a common approach to mitigation response. The adverse impacts are a major threat to the regionβs vision of peace and prosperity.
The meeting brought together key organizations undertaking climate action in the region. North Rift region to use the forum to come up with a framework for concerted regional climate action by establishing a working group between the organizations and the 8 member counties of NOREB.
Speaking during the meeting, Uasin Gishu Deputy Governor Eng John Barorot urged the climate change actors and the various county governments in the region to align their interventions and come up with a common approach. He challenged them to mobilize resources and
ββ¦climate change is real, I remember when I was in High school, every time we closed the school in term one, we went home to w**d the maize, it is no longer the case these days. The rainy seasons have changed; you find the dry month having rains while the usually rainy seasons are now dryβ says the Deputy Governor
Eng Barorot further insisted that there was a need to have concerted and urgent action to mitigate these impacts and build a climate change-resilient region. He pointed out that the county government of Uasin Gishu is on top of the mitigation plan within the county.
The forum was also attended by the Uasin Gishu Chief Officer for Environment and Climate Change Ms Marry Kerich and Elgeiyo Marakkwetβs Chief Officer for Peace and Security Mr Lawrence Mutwol among other county officials from the NOREB region.
The Chief Officers acknowledged the key role played by the regional bloc (NOREB) in bringing together the technical teams and strategic partners to champion the course in all the 8 counties. They assured organizations present in the meeting that they would work with them in reversing the climate change effects in the region.
Ms Mary said that we cannot mitigate climate change without clean drinking water in the region, she emphasized tree planting and safeguarding our water sources. Mr Mutwol said climate change has become one of the main sources of conflict in the region citing the Elgeiyo Mrakwet, Baringo and West Pokot conflict.
Key organizations who made an elaborate presentation at the meeting include Rural Women Peace Link, the National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK), Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), British High Commission, and Reinvent among other organizations.
NOREB CEO Dr Godfrey Chesang who coordinated the meeting read out the resolution of the meeting which involved a plan to hold more consultative meetings, a climate change conference and resource mobilization to action all the measures agreed in the strategy.
According to UNICEF, Climate change is disrupting weather patterns, leading to extreme weather events, unpredictable water availability, exacerbating water scarcity and contaminating water supplies. Such impacts can drastically affect the quantity and quality of water that children need to survive.
ENDS
