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Kenya: Nema Gets Sh1 Billion to Fight Climate Change in Lower Eastern Region

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4 years ago

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The National Environment Management Authority (Nema) has received a Sh1 billion grant to combat the effects of climate change by increasing water security for more than one million lower eastern region residents.

The funding from the Green Climate Fund (GCF), a financial mechanism operating under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, will be used to improve water security and reduce the impact of drought in the River Athi catchment area.

Nema Director-General Boru Mamo said the catchment area is water-insecure, with most of River Athi’s tributaries having significantly reduced or dried-up, leading to a negative water balance.

With less surface water, he said, reliance on groundwater has increased to meet growing water demand.

Prone to drought

The grant is expected to directly benefit 1,156,620 people in an area that is prone to drought, but which also paradoxically suffers from disasters linked to flooding in the River Athi basin.

“We have been crying for lack of money and now the Sh1.05 billion grant will go into supporting vulnerable communities in the lower eastern region by enhancing their resilience and adaptation to the vagaries of climate change,” Mr Mamo said.

“It will also contribute to the integrity of Athi River in ensuring that we manage the sources of pollution by enhancing clean-up of the river basin in order to get clean water to Thwake Dam.”

Work with Met Department