The government of Kenya has launched a US $5million project to promote climate resilience around the Lake Victoria basin.
Mohamed Elmi, chief administrative secretary in the Ministry of Environment and Forestry spoke during the launch ceremony in Rarieda, Western Kenya and said that the project will revolve around ecosystem restoration, adoption of clean energy, and conservation agriculture to help communities adjacent to Africa’s largest freshwater body cope with climate change.
“The project will help communities adapt to climate change. It will involve tree planting, soil conservation and use of renewable energy,”said Elmi.
Climatic shocks
Lake Victoria Basin Commission (LVBC) will oversee the implementation of pilot climate resilience projects in western Kenyan counties of Siaya and Busia, where climatic shocks like flooding are rampant. The project is being financed by the UN adaptation fund to strengthen coping mechanisms of local communities amid extreme weather events.
In addition, similar climate resilience projects will also be piloted in Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi that are part of the greater Lake Victoria basin. This in return will help will help tame perennial flooding that is to blame for mass displacement and the spread of infectious diseases.
“Dwindling biodiversity and flooding linked to climate change has taken a toll on local communities hence the urgency to strengthen their resilience.
Restoring forest cover in countries sharing the Lake Victoria basin will help tame perennial flooding that is to blame for mass displacement and the spread of infectious diseases. The launch of a climate resilience project around the Lake Victoria basin is expected to unleash benefits including food security, greater adoption of cleaner energy and habitat restoration. Community-based organizations will be empowered to undertake soil conservation activities, beekeeping, cage fish farming, and the use of solar energy as part of climate resilience,” said LVBC executive secretary Ali Said Matano.
