Gov. Ngilu launches
Climate Change Fund
By Barrack Muli,
Kitui Governor Charity Ngilu has launched the County Climate Change Fund and regulations that were drafted in collaboration with several stakeholders.The fund will draw support from County Government of Kitui, Adaptation Consortium that is funded by the Department of International development of the UK Government, the Anglican Development Eastern Services, KEFRI, and NEMA among others and will aid in reversing the adverse effects of climate change.
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| Gov. Ngilu waters a tree she planted to mark the launch of the fund |
Addressing the launch Governor Ngilu decried the wanton environmental destruction through sand harvesting and charcoal burning that have left the county exposed to prolonged droughts and resultant famine. “Kitui’s forest cover today stands at 7 percent way below the recommended minimum of 10 percent” she said.
Noting the resounding support the ban has attracted across the country and is adoption as a national policy, Ngilu said the county will be in the forefront in initiating programs that will ensure sustainable exploitation of natural resources, protect the environment and significantly reverse the effects of climate change.
She urged Kitui people to commit in tree planting and said her administration has allocated 1 percent of the county’s total budget (sh117 m) to support the fund and the Adaptation consortium contributing Sh. 85m towards the initiative.
Ngilu said her government is constructing earth dams, sand dams, rock catchments and borehole rehabilitation to curb water scarcity in the county.
During the launch held at Kyanika Village in Nzambani Ward , women groups exhibited Eco Jikos that consume low charcoal quantities in domestic use.
