Adaptation fund programme launched

The National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) launched a Sh1 billion climate change programme that will be implemented in 14 counties. The launch was held on 29^th January, 2016 at Boma Hotel, South C in Nairobi.

The programme titled, “Integrated Programme to Build Resilience to Climate Change and Adaptive Capacity of Vulnerable Communities in Kenya” will be implemented in conjunction with three executing entities namely Coast Development Authority, Kenya Forestry Research Institute and Tana and Athi River Development Authority and eight other Sub Executing Entities.

This programme is designed to respond to effects of Climate Change and will cover the following sectors; water management, food security, agroforestry, coastal and mangrove ecosystems and disaster risk reduction.

The programme will be implemented in conjunction with three executing entities namely Coast Development Authority, Kenya Forestry Research Institute and Tana and Athi River Development Authority and eight other Sub Executing Entities.

The programme is designed to respond to effects of Climate Change and will cover sectors like water management, food security, agroforestry, coastal and mangrove ecosystems and disaster risk reduction.

The launch was presided over by the Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources and Regional Development Authorities Prof. Judi Wakhungu.

As the National Implementing Entity for the Adaptation Fund, NEMA applied for these funds on behalf of Kenya after being accredited as a National Implementing Entity of the Adaptation Fund on behalf of the Kenyan government.

During the launch, the Environment, Natural Resources and Regional Development Authorities Cabinet Secretary, Prof Judi Wakhungu stated the importance of funds in addressing issues of climate change in Kenya. She assured the ministry’s commitment in implementation of funds by ensuring that the designated authorities use the funds for the betterment of the lives of Kenyans.

The NEMA board chairman, Mr. Maluki Mwendwa assured the ministry and the public that the Authority will apply the necessary financial instruments to enable smooth disbursements of the funds to relevant Executing Entities. “We note with gratitude the National Treasury’s   confidence in NEMA through their delegated powers to the Authority in the administration of the adaptation funds. I assure you that the Authority will apply the necessary financial instruments to ensure smooth disbursements of the funds to relevant Executing Entities to ensure implementation of the planned activities. Similarly, the Authority will undertake regular monitoring to ensure efficient use of the resources,” Mr. Maluki stated.

During the launch, the NEMA Director General, Prof Geoffrey Wahungu highlighted the journey towards the funds accreditation. He stated, “NEMA was subjected to a rigorous evaluation after which it obtained its accreditation as Kenya’s National Implementing Entity. NEMA regards this accreditation as highly prestigious and honourable recognition, the key evaluation criteria was on Financial Integrity and Management Institutional capacity, Transparency and Competence to deal with financial mismanagement and other forms of malpractice. This accreditation serves as prove of competence, efficiency and trustworthiness of NEMA at international level.”

He explained that, “NEMA will be swift, ruthless and steadfast in dealing with any entity that may fall short of the expectations in implementing the various components of this programme.” He notified the implementing entities that monitoring and evaluation of the programme implementation will be carried out continually and unannounced and ad hoc visits to project sites will periodically be carried out by NEMA.

{ NEMA’s corporate communications office}