A Collaborative Effort for Effective Climate Change Governance in Siaya

The Financing Locally Led Climate Actions (FLLoCA) process in Siaya has encountered numerous challenges, leading to limited progress despite the county’s qualification for the programme. Transparency and accountability issues have been prevalent, with the Department of Water, Environment, Climate Change and Natural Resources statements often differing from the realities on the ground. For example, the Department has repeatedly claimed that climate governance structures are in place and functioning. In contrast, many of these structures either do not exist or have not operated as mandated by the Siaya County Climate Change Act 2021 due to inefficiencies within the department.

In the past quarter, Siaya Muungano Network under the VCA programme, along with other partners in the Siaya County Climate Change Civil Society Organisation (CSO) working group and Action Aid Kenya, joined forces to advocate for more effective climate change governance, the operationalisation of the Siaya County Climate change Act and the development of the County Climate Change Fund Regulations. Recognising the urgent need for coordinated action, they conducted a series of consultative meetings that gathered various stakeholders, including representatives from the Department of Water, Irrigation, Environment and Natural Resources, the Siaya County Assembly Committee on Water and Environment, Ward Climate Change Planning Committee representatives including women, community women groups, and other partners. Together, they identified gaps and discussed strategies to enhance climate governance in Siaya.

As a result of these collaborative efforts, significant progress has been made in improving climate governance structures. Notably, the Siaya County Climate Change Planning Committee and the steering committee have been activated, with members receiving appointment letters and being inaugurated. Furthermore, the department has made efforts to communicate its activities related to the FLLoCA process, ensuring that CSOs and the community are informed about ongoing developments.

Through advocacy efforts, the Siaya County Assembly has committed to revising the existing climate change act while first tracking the development of the County Climate Change Regulations Fund. Further, there has been a commitment made by the County Executive Committee Member of Water, Irrigation, Climate Change, Environment and Natural Resources to consult with county assembly members to allocate a specific percentage of resources to women-led climate action activities as a crucial step toward promoting gender equality and enhancing the effectiveness of climate initiatives. This marks a significant step toward more inclusive governance. Additionally, the Siaya County Assembly has actively followed up with the Department of Water, Environment, Climate Change and Natural Resources to expedite the resolution of the gaps highlighted by the Siaya County Climate Change CSO working group.