Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga has advocated for a complete paradigm shift in climate change mitigation strategies.
The governor who is part of the Kenyan party at the global event called on developed countries to help third-world nations to enable them to put more effort into climate change initiatives.
"We must shift to Resilience and Adaptation in the face of harsh climatic changes," Governor Wanga said.
She was speaking while leading a panel session at the ongoing COP27 conference in Egypt.
She sought to address the fundamental issue of how governments can make sure that risk-reduction and adaptation strategies are integrated at the local level.
The Governor supported the promotion of adaptation and resilience within the communities by highlighting climate-resilient infrastructure, climate-smart agriculture, capacity building, and awareness creation on climate change adaptation and resilience.
She based her argument on experiences in Homa Bay County and other Great Lake counties.
Wanga told the world to speed up climate change mitigation programs in order to save Lake Victoria which she said was threatened by global warming.
According to Governor Wanga, her administration is already implementing local adaption strategies, such as promoting the use of solar-powered rural water boreholes and solar lights in place of electricity.
Clean Cooking Initiative for women-led households, fish markets, and county referral hospitals, the greening of streets, parks, and public spaces to reduce carbon emissions and mitigate surface runoff is another measure.
Others adaptation measures include the Youth for Trees Program to enable youth to increase tree cover.
Governor Wanga also appealed to the development partners, stakeholders, and climate change enthusiasts to support her with institutional capacity building on climate adaptation.
"We need technical and financial support to enable us to accomplish all of the above."
The governor also met the new Kenyan environment and forestry Cabinet Secretary Soipan Tuya on the sidelines of the COP27 where they deliberated on climate change focus programs for the counties.
The CS said the government is keen on working with counties to ensure they receive support to manage climate change-related programs.
"Many of our counties have passed climate change-related laws and now qualify for funding through the national treasury from the next financial year.
