Trans Nzoia, Kenya – In a significant move to combat climate change, the Trans Nzoia County government has successfully trained 250 members of the Ward Climate Change Planning Committee (WCCPC). This initiative is aimed at bolstering the implementation of climate change measures and enhancing community-driven livelihood projects and programs.

According to Kenya News Agency, The training, which concluded on Wednesday, was organized by the Trans Nzoia County Department of Water, Environment, Natural Resources and Climate Change, in collaboration with the national government and the World Bank’s Financing Locally-Led Climate Action Programme. Held at the Mabanga Agricultural Training Centre in Bungoma County, the event saw participants from the county’s 25 wards come together for a week of capacity-building activities.

The WCCPCs comprise representatives from various community sectors, including Persons Living with Disabilities, youth representatives, faith-based organizations, and women representatives. Patrick Gacheru, the County Environment CEC, addressed the participants, emphasizing the pivotal role of WCCPCs in linking public and private agencies with community members. This linkage is crucial for the coordination and effective implementation of programs and projects aimed at addressing climate-related challenges.

CEC Gacheru highlighted the responsibilities of the WCCPCs, which include coordinating government and stakeholder-led programs and projects, mobilizing public participation in ward-specific climate change response strategies, and initiating awareness campaigns on climate change management.

Gacheru assured locals of the county’s commitment to supporting environmental initiatives, referencing several ongoing projects at both national and devolved levels. These initiatives focus on mitigation, adaptation, and resilience to the adverse effects of climate change. He particularly cited the Kenyan government’s ambition to plant 15 billion trees by 2032, a project aimed at combating the devastating effects of climate change, such as droughts, floods, diseases, and unpredictable rainfall patterns, by reducing greenhouse emissions.

The training of the WCCPCs in Trans Nzoia County represents a significant step towards engaging communities in climate action and contributing to the broader environmental goals of the region and the nation.