Wanga signs bill to address impact of climate change

@robertomollo3

Homa Bay is expected to get funds for addressing problems caused by climate change after Governor Gladys Wanga assented to the bill.

The county assembly approved the Climate Change Bill 2020 before Wanga signed it into law on Wednesday.

Experts say the act has now given Homa Bay government a green light to get money for coming up with programmes that will enhance climate resilience and adaptation.

The Act has created two coordinating committees on climate change activities, at the county and ward levels.

At the ward level, the committee will mobilise communities and other stakeholders to design and implement climate change response activities.

University of Nairobi lecturer of Climatology Clifford Omondi said the act will facilitate research and knowledge on climate change, its impact and strategies for response.

The committee will also conduct public education, awareness creation and capacity building on climate change.

At the county level, the legislation has established a Climate Change Technical Committee, which coordinates, planning and implementation of projects and activities for climate change response in the county.

Omondi said he is hopeful that the law will boost the fight against adverse impact of climate change.

“The establishment of the act will enhance the county's ability to generate resources for climate change adaptation and resilience,” he said.

The don who is also a resident of Homa Bay said lack of funding has made it difficult to fight adverse impact of climate change in the county before.

He said the county has various issues of environmental degradation, which should be mitigated effectively.

Homa Bay residents have been affected by floods and other forms of environmental degradation resulting from climate change.

“The Act will create a fund, which will be used for responding to the issues,” he said.

Omondi said the fund will also provide resources for empowering residents on smart agriculture to improve food security in the county.

Homa Bay County Assembly Committee on Climate Change chairman Erick Omollo said the Act will enhance external funding on the fight against the effects of climate change.

“Homa Bay was unable to get funds for tackling climate change effects due to lack of a legislation,” Omollo said.

Governor Wanga said her administration is prioritising the fight against the negative impact of climate change.

Wanga said climate change is a global issue, which must be given the deserved attention.

“We recognise climate change impact as a serious issue we must deal with. The signing of the bill into law has enhanced our attention to improve livelihoods of residents by addressing negative impacts on climate change,” Wanga said.