Governor Abdullahi assents to Wajir County Climate Change Act, 2025

Wajir governor Ahmed Abdullahi after assenting to the Wajir County Climate Change Act.Photo/ STEPHEN ASTARIKO

Wajir Governor Ahmed Abdullahi has assents to the Wajir County Climate Change Act, 2025, marking a major step in strengthening the county’s climate resilience.

The new law among other things enhances climate governance, increases climate financing to 3% of the  development budget, and ensures climate action is fully integrated into the county’s  planning and development.

The county, located within the expansive Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASALs), is among the region’s most profoundly affected by the impacts of climate change in Kenya.

Over the past decades, climate variability has intensified, resulting in prolonged and severe droughts, erratic rainfall patterns, recurrent flash floods, rising temperatures, increased wind intensity, and widespread environmental degradation.

These climatic changes have severely disrupted the pastoralist way of life and undermined livelihoods that are heavily dependent on natural ecosystems.

Prolonged droughts—now more frequent and longer than in previous years—have resulted in massive loss of livestock, reduced milk production, diminished household incomes, and increased food insecurity.

Families that once relied on pastoralism as their primary source of livelihood have been forced to migrate long distances in search of pasture and water, exposing them to conflict, disease, and social instability.

Water scarcity has become a defining challenge, with many communities traveling long distances to access water, often from depleted or unsafe sources. Boreholes and shallow wells, already limited in numbers, have been overstretched due to increased demand.

Governor Abdullahi said it is against this backdrop, that the development of the Wajir County Climate Change Bill was both urgent and necessary.

‘I want to sincerely thank the honorable members of the County Assembly for passing this that now becomes an Act. It provides a stronger legal foundation to protect livelihoods of our people and build a climate-resilient future,” said Abdullahi.

Sahal Mugow, the chair water, Energy, Environment, Climate Change and Natural Resources Committee said the Act will among other things create a structured and coordinated response to climate change by establishing governance mechanisms.

It will also help in strengthening adaptation measures, promoting climate-resilient livelihoods, enhancing natural resource management, and ensuring the equitable and transparent use of climate finance.

The legislation he noted  also aims to integrate indigenous knowledge, enhance early warning systems, promote environmental conservation, and foster community-driven adaptation strategies.