The integration of climate information into Government policies is important because climate is a major driving factor for most of the economic activities in Kenya. Climate information has, however, not been easily understandable. The same has not been adequately factored into most of the sectors of the country’s economy including Government development policies and plans. The current Government’s blue print called ‘Vision 2030’ is no exception. The purpose of this National Climate Change Response Strategy (NCCRS) is to put in place robust measures needed to address most, if not all, of the challenges posed by climate variability and change.
It is important for me that this Strategy has been developed through a very participatory process conducted countrywide. We have had two national workshops, nine regional workshops as well as workshops with parliamentarians and clusters of stakeholders including the Government, private sector, civil society organisations, development partners, youth groups, women’s groups, faith- based organisations, and the media, among others. These workshops were held to gather information on the impacts of climate change as well as on recommended interventions.
It is also important for me that a number of line-ministries have provided their programmes and projects towards sector-wide adaptation to and mitigation against climate change. The Action Plan of this Strategy builds on these programmes and projects, among others, and shows to me the Government’s commitment towards tackling climate change.
This document is divided into ten chapters. Chapter One looks at the history of climate change, challenges and international efforts to combat climate change. The remaining chapters give details on evidence and impacts of climate change; strategic focus of the NCCRS including the linkages between the NCCRS and the Vision 2030; adaptation and mitigation interventions; communication, education and awareness programmes; vulnerability assessments; research, technology development and transfer; policy, legislation and institutional framework; as well as action plan, implementation framework and resource mobilisation plan, respectively.
The recommendations given in this document should be translated into policies that would benefit our communities and trigger the process of active involvement in factoring climate information into all relevant activities. For climate change threats to be appreciated, the document has recommended massive awareness campaigns so that the public can be sensitised and mobilised to adapt to and mitigate against impacts of climate change.
It is important to note that this is the first time this country has developed a document of this kind dedicated to addressing the threats posed by climate change as well as taking advantage of any opportunities that may arise. Future climate change programmes and projects will have to be developed in line with the provisions of this Response Strategy. Consequently, this Strategy is now the key Government climate change agenda guide in the country and will inform nationwide climate change programmes and development activities including the formulation of documents such as the National Climate Change Policy and efforts towards the attainment of Vision 2030. For this reason, the Strategy shall be circulated widely to as many stakeholders as possible to enable extensive reading.
Honourable John Njoroge Muchuki, EGH, MP
Minister for Environment and Mineral Resources