WHAT IS NIE

National Implementing Entity(NIE)  is National legal entities/organisations  nominated by a Party / Government and accredited by the Adaptation Fund Board to vet eligible projects for funding from the adaptation fund. For an institution to become NIE it must demonstrate adequate competence in technical capabilities, maintenance of accounts, provisions for external and internal audit, procurement, project management and creating and maintaining an ethical and corruption‐free environment. The NIEs- bear full responsibility for the overall management of the project and programmes in terms of financial, monitoring and reporting responsibilities

ADAPTATION FUND

The Adaptation Fund is a self-standing fund established under the Kyoto Protocol of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. The Fund is designed to finance concrete climate change adaptation projects and programs based on the needs, views and priorities of developing countries. A concrete adaptation project -a set of activities aimed at producing visible and tangible results on the ground by reducing vulnerability to CC and increasing the adaptive capacity of human and natural systems.

NEMA as NIE

National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) is the National Implementing Entity (NIE) for Adaptation Fund in Kenya. NEMA was nominated by the Ministry of Environment, Water and Natural Resources to be the NIE under the Adaptation Fund (AF). In March 2012, NEMA obtained its accreditation by the Adaptation Fund Board of UNFCCC. This accreditation gave NEMA the mandate to offer vetting, approval and supervision of projects financed by the Adaptation Fund. The NIE bears full responsibility for the overall management of programmes and project in terms of financial, monitoring and reporting to the Adaptation Fund.

The approval of this Programme was a huge success to NEMA and indeed to the entire country as the funds will go towards building resilience among vulnerable communities who are susceptible to the adverse impacts of climate change. As the NIE for Kenya, NEMA will disburse the monies from the fund to its three main Executing Entities (that is, Coast Development Authority, Kenya Forestry Research Institute and Tana and Athi River Development) who are the programme implementers.

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The Authority Core Functions are:

  • Coordinating the various environmental management activities being undertaken by the lead agencies.
  • Promote the integration of environmental considerations into development policies, plans, programmes and projects, with a view to ensuring the proper management and rational utilization of environmental resources, on sustainable yield basis, for the improvement of the quality of human life in Kenya.
  • To take stock of the natural resources in Kenya and their utilization and conservation.
  • To establish and review land use guidelines.
  • Examine land use patterns to determine their impact on the quality and quantity of natural resources.
  • Carry out surveys, which will assist in the proper management and conservation of the environment.
  • Advise the Government on legislative and other measures for the management of the environment or the implementation of relevant international conventions, treaties and agreements.
  • Advise the Government on regional and international conventions, treaties and agreements to which Kenya should be a party and follow up the implementation of such agreements.
  • Undertake and coordinate research, investigation and surveys, collect, collate and disseminate information on the findings of such research, investigations or surveys.
  • Mobilize and monitor the use of financial and human resources for environmental management.
  • Identify projects and programmes for which environmental audit or environmental monitoring must be conducted under this Act.
  • Initiate and evolve procedures and safeguards for the prevention of accidents, which may cause environmental degradation and evolve remedial measures where accidents occur e.g. floods, landslides and oil spills.
  • Monitor and assess activities, including activities being carried out by relevant lead agencies, in order to ensure that the environment is not degraded by such activities. Management objectives must be adhered to and adequate early warning on impending environmental emergencies is given.
  • Undertake, in cooperation with relevant lead agencies, programmes intended to enhance environmental education and public awareness, about the need for sound environmental management, as well as for enlisting public support and encouraging the effort made by other entities in that regard.
  • Publish and disseminate manual codes or guidelines relating to environmental management and prevention or abatement of environmental degradation.
  •  Render advice and technical support, where possible, to entities engaged in natural resources management and environmental protection, so as to enable them to carry out their responsibilities satisfactorily .
  • Prepare and issue an annual report on the State of Environment in Kenya and in this regard, may direct any lead agency to prepare and submit to it a report on the state of the sector of the environment under the administration of that lead agency.

The Green Climate Fund (GCF) is a new global fund created to support the efforts of developing countries to respond to the challenge of climate change. GCF helps developing countries limit or reduce their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and adapt to climate change.The Green Climate Fund (GCF) is a new global fund created to support the efforts of developing countries to respond to the challenge of climate change. GCF helps developing countries limit or reduce their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and adapt to climate change.It seeks to promote a paradigm shift to low-emission and climate-resilient development, taking into account the needs of nations that are particularly vulnerable to climate change impacts. http://www.greenclimate.fund/home. 

The National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) got accredited as an Implementing Entity under Direct Access with Green Climate Fund (GCF) in March 2016. It is now one of the 33 institutions globally authorized to carry out GCF projects. As such, NEMA can carry out a series of activities which include developing and submitting funding proposals for projects and programmes, overseeing management and implementation of projects and programmes, deploying a range of financial instruments within its capacity and mobilizing private sector capital.Accredited entities refers to National legal entities/organizations nominated by National Designated Authorities (NDAs) and accredited by the GCF to design eligible projects for funding from the GCF. These entities bear full responsibility for the overall management of the project and programmes in terms of financial, monitoring and reporting responsibilities. In Kenya, the National Treasury (NDA) serves as the point of communication with the Fund.

AE disclosure of relevant ESS report for submitted GCF funding proposal

Kenya, Through NEMA as NIE  is implementing Adaptation Fund Programme  titled , Integrated Programme to Build Resilience to Climate Change and Adaptive Capacity of Vulnerable communities in Kenya”.

The programme has a funding of 1 billion Kenya shilling and is  designed to cover the following sectors; water resources, agriculture, livestock, agro forestry, coastal and mangrove ecosystems, energy and infrastructure, human health and gender in relation to climate change. The programme proposes to develop and implement integrated adaptive mechanisms to increase community livelihood resilience to climate change as follows:

  • Adoption of drought tolerant crops, and promotion of value chain approaches
  • Development of water harvesting assets/structures
  • Promotion of forestry and agro forestry ecosystem-based strategies to enhance food security and resilience to climate change as well as water and soil conservation.
  • Promotion of pastoral ecosystem-based adaptations that will increase resilience through use of pasture conservation and emergency fodder bank, storage and supply of water to improve social life of the people in the district.
  • Rehabilitation of mangrove ecosystem in the coastal area
  • Disaster risk reduction and preparedness through early warning system and flood control structures
  • Establishment of a knowledge management system for this programme, development of institution capacity, and raising awareness on Climate Change Adaptation.

The programme covers  fourteen (14) counties and is subdivided into five components. 

Component 1 – Enhancing Climate resilient agricultural, agro-forestry, pastoral and agro-pastoral production systems to improve food security in selected Counties in Kenya.

The communities in rural areas mainly depend on rain fed agriculture and pastoralism  for food and sustainable livelihood. Effects of climate change greatly impacts on these natural resources leading to food shortages and death of livestock. The programme therefore  promotes suitable farming practices  and methods to improve both livestock and crop based production  within households. The programme has six  6 outputs

  Key Result Areas

3000 farmers groups working with drip irrigation

15,000 farmers achieving 25% average increase in food production per Ha.

15,000 House Holds with a 25% increase in food consumption.

30% reduction in negative coping strategies

48,000 drought tolerant fruit trees seedlings planted by farmers

Component 2: Improving climate resilient water management systems to enhance food security in selected Counties in Kenya

The effects of climate change have led to prolonged drought , erratic rainfall drying of wetlands, seasonal rivers and water springs. This has affected several sectors such as agriculture , livestock and industries. The programme through this component focuses on adaptation activities that will improve water resources to support other sector economies.

Key result areas 

  • Construction of 2 irrigation schemes (Laikipia and Masinga)
  • 609,527 M3 capacity water harvesting structures constructed
  • Construction of 300mm pipeline approximately 9km.
Component 3: Increasing resilience to the effects of rise in sea level and shoreline changes through Integrated Shoreline and Mangrove Ecosystem Management at Vanga and Gazi in the Coastal region of Kenya

The coastal and marine ecosystems are rich with natural resources which support local and national economies which include fisheries coastal forests mangrove forests seagrass beds , coral reefs , river basins deltas and estuaries , beaches and sand dunes  as well as cultural and natural heritage. The climate change effects has impacted on the coastal areas leading to rise in sea levels , coral reef bleaching  and destruction of mangrove due to flooding and drought.  The programme is communing up with a sea wall to protect human settlements . This will be combined with magroove restoration to protect the shoreline. To address the challenge of coral bleaching the programme is rehabilitating the coral reefs.

Key result areas

  • Stabilize at least 4.81 km of the Vanga Shoreline
  • Secure at least 3,579 households from the effects of sea level rise and shoreline changes in Vanga
  • Rehabilitate at least 2,815 Ha of the Vanga and Gazi Mangrove Ecosystems
Component 4 :Disaster risk reduction among targeted vulnerable communities for climate related risks in Kenya

The level of preparedness  for climate change related risks such as flooding , erosions   loss of livestock, prolonged drought and crop failures is very low  and weak in the country . There  has been frequent  occurrences of these scenarios due to effects of climate change   leading to loss of property ,lives and destruction of infrastructures among others.  The programme seeks to address the challenges through establishment of early warning systems and construction of automatic weather stations , establish community based friendly information dissemination sytems ,  establish evacuation centres and construction of flood control structures.

Key Result Areas

  • Construction of Dykes in four identified sites along River Nyando
  • Construction of flood control structures in the Yala basin (10 Km stretch)
  • Construction of 4 evacuation Centers
  • Developed system of sending disaster alerts
Component 5 : Strengthening institutional capacity, knowledge management, awareness raising and promotion of adaptation mechanisms to improve resilience on climate change to selected vulnerable communities in Kenya

The component has been designed as a knowledge management humb to share information and best practices in climate change adaptation.

Key result Areas

One empirical research study

Information Education Communication (IEC) materials developed and distributed 

12 Radio talk shows on Disaster Risk Reduction

Web portal for interactions

One database for documentation of programmer implementation processes

One Documentary developed for the programmer

1 Policy makers, ministerial training

10 farmer exchange field tours 

One conference to profile disseminate best practices

The programme covers Fourteen (14) counties. Each  of the 14 counties  has one or more programme site which are implemented by the ten( 10) Executing Entities namely Tana and Athi Rivers Development Authority (TARDA), Horn Aid Kenya, Coastal Development Authority(CDA), Kenya Forestry Research Institute (KEFRI), Victoria Research and Development (VIRED) International ,  Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) Kenya, Caritas Nyeri , Nasaru Community Based Organization ,Kenya Red Cross Society and Kenyatta University.

Embu County

The programmes site is located at Machanga Siakago  subcounty. The Adaptation programme is constructing an  Earth Dam at machanga to address the water shortage in the area . This progremme is  managed by Tana and Athi Rivers Development Authority.

Garissa County

The projects seeks to create resilience in food and water by construction of dams and creating green zones in farmlands. The project is being executed by Horn AID Kenya. The programme site in Garissa County is being executed by Horn AID Kenya. The sites are located in fafi sub-county which include sites at Daad Bulle and Sankuri in Balambala constituency. The area has frequent droughts during the dry seasons and at times experiences flooding during the rainy seasons.

Kajiado County

There are two Kenya Climate Change Adaptation Fund Programme sites in Kajiado County these include Loitokitok sub-county site, managed by Kenya Forestry Research Institute (KEFRI), and Kajiado west sub-county managed by Nasaru community Based organization. The project sites in Kajiado addresses programme Component 1: Enhancing Climate Change resilience for improved food security and Component 2: Establishing Climate Change resilient water management systems to enhance food security.

During the implementation of the Programme, Kenya Forestry Research Institute (KEFRI) in collaboration with various stakeholders will promote climate resilient agricultural, agro-forestry, pastoral and agro-pastoral production systems to improve food security in the area. The institute together with collaborating partners will also spearhead water conservation and harvesting technologies, promotion of efficient cooking technologies and charcoal production kilns to reduce risks associated with climate change and improve the adaptive capacity of selected vulnerable communities in the area. 

The programme through KEFRI is distributing grafted Mangoes and citrus fruit trees and drought tolerant seeds, drought resilient grass, fodder and forage, hay making equipment’s, and construction of Food storage, bulking center for storing hay and demonstration on Value addition for selected fruits. Further the programme seeks to rehabilitate livestock watering points and along rivers and construction of water pans at various location.

KEFRI through the adaptation fund programme is also creating awareness on climate change, impacts and adaptation through, publications, meetings and Radio programme. On the other hand programme through NASARU Community Based Organization is addressing food security through distribution and planting of drought tolerant seeds of orphaned crops and introducing micro- irrigation kits for kitchen gardens. The programme is also distributing of drought tolerant fodder and fodder making equipment’s as well as training farmers on hay making. The programme seeks to address strengthen the community livelihood through distribution of Aloe Vera seedlings to households and training farmers in Aloe processing.

Through NASARU the programme is constructing water pans and water troughs.

Kilifi County

The project site is located in Midoina in Mwahera location of Ganze sub county, Kilifi county and also in four( 4) schools within Kilifi county namely Matolani Primary, Kirumbi Girls secondary, Bandari Secondary and Karimboni primary. The county has challenges with the water scarcity, flooding and coastal area biodiversity destruction.  The project is being executed by Coastal Development Authority and seeks to increasing resilience to the effects of rise in sea level and shoreline changes through Integrated Shoreline and Mangrove Ecosystem Management and improve climate resilient water management systems to enhance food security in the Coastal region of Kenya.

Kitui County

The project is being implemented by Faith based organization Adventist Development and Relief Agency ADRA. The project sites are in lower Yatta Sub-county, Kitui County. To the eastern side of the county, the main relief feature is the Yatta plateau, which stretches from the north to the south of the county and lies between rivers Athi and Tiva. The plateau is characterized with plain wide shallow spaced valleys.


The climatic condition varies across the county in terms of rainfall and temperature. The rainfall pattern is bi-modal with long rains falling in the months of March to May. These are usually very erratic and unreliable rainfall. The short rains which form the second rainy season fall between October and December and is a bit reliable. The county experiences high temperatures throughout the year, which ranges from 140c to 340c. The projects seeks to address enhance food security and water

Kisumu County

Kisumu CountyKisumu CountyThe site lies along Nyando catchment in the eastern sub-catchments of the Lake Victoria.It covers an area of 3,600 km2. There have also been land use changes as a result of intensive deforestation in the upper catchment of Nyando River basin leading to flooding during the rainy seasons. The project is being implemented by Victoria Research and Development (VIRED) International a non-governmental organization.

Through the adaptation fund programme the organization is addressing  component 4 Disaster Risk Reduction and Increasing Preparedness among Vulnerable Communities  by Construction of 4 water pans and  dykes and Un-blocking of water channels.

The programme also seeks to rehabilitate river banks by planting bamboo seedling along river Nyando. Adaptation fund also seeks to develop early warning systems, capacity building and awareness of communities on disaster preparedness and construction of evacuation centers in Nyando area. The organization is also involved in carrying out research on Climate Change Adaptation.Flood control structures, evacuation centres will be the primary initiatives in this area.

Kwale County

The programme sites in Kwale County are located in Vanga and Gazi areas. The project is being executed by Coast Development Authority and mainly focuses on rehabilitation of the coastal areas kenya. The region’s climate is tropical humid characterized by dry spells and unpredictable rainfall.

Supply of portable water has not kept pace with population growth and urban development in the coastal region. Consequently, majority of the population has resorted in abstraction of groundwater by sinking boreholes and shallow wells. Some tourism facilities have also lead in increased use of the available brackish groundwater for toilet needs. Over-extraction of groundwater and destruction of water catchments has exacerbated the water supply problem and threatened the ecosystem hydrological functions thus the need for strategies to address these issues.

Laikipia County

The programme site is located in Thome, Matanya sub-location, Laikipia Central Sub County. The rainfall in Thome area lies between 700-800mm on average per year with some areas receiving less than 600mm.

The low amounts of rainfall with varying patterns have led to continued decrease in river discharge, causing conflicts between upstream and downstream users. For instance, the Naro Moru River was perennial and a reliable source of water up to the early 1990s.

However, in the past decade the river has repeatedly run dry over extended periods of time.To adapt to climate change the adaptation fund programmes seeks to construct of water harvesting and water supply infrastructures, supply micro drip Kits with a 2000litres, water storage tank, and promotion of drought resistant crops and conservation of environment through agro forestry.

Re-engineering and reconstruction of the Thome river intake channel, construction of one 25,000m3 water reservoir, 300mm wide water distribution pipes covering 9.348km, water pans with capacity of 5,000m3 and storage masonry tanks and water distribution pipelines and distribution of 40 tree seedlings per household, and other drought tolerant seeds and community level capacity building.

The project is being executed by Caritas- Nyeri.

Machakos County

There are two project sites in Machakos County. These projects are being executed by Tana and Athi Rivers Development Authority (TARDA) and Kenyatta University

Makueni County

Makueni county has 64.3% households that use unimproved water sources, 35.7 % access improved water sources and only 17.7% have access to piped water. Athi River and Kibwezi River are the only permanent rivers serving the entire county. The majority of the populations depend on surface and subsurface dams for water, which often do not hold sufficient water due to high evaporation rates during the dry seasons.

The vast area of the county and the population is therefore inadequately supplied with water and the average distance from a water point is at 8kms. This has therefore led to severe water shortages for domestic, livestock, crop and industrial use. Being an ASAL region the County hardly receives sufficient rainfall. The groundwater resources are low and saline because of the basement rock systems. This has greatly affected agricultural and livestock production as most farmers are forced to depend on rain fed agricultural production. Tana and Athi Rivers Development Authority is implementing the project in Makueni County at at Wanduli Earth Dam, Kibwezi West. The adaptation fund projects seeks to address the resilience to water shortages.

Marsabit County

The adaptation fund site in Marsabit County is located at Waldaa, Sololo sub-county. The area experiences prolonged drought throughout the year. In this area Kenya Red Cross Society (KRCS) has embarked on early recovery initiatives aimed at opening up land under irrigation in Waldaa as a disaster risk reduction strategy and enhancing food security.

Kenya Red Cross with local people will construct water pans to supply water for domestic and irrigation to improve resilience and adaptive capacity to climate change of the rural poor. Water harvested during the rainy seasons will be used in irrigation. Modern farming methods which are climate SMART (pressure compensated drip irrigation) will be adopted and solar energy will be used to power the pumping equipment’s , which will reduce fuel use and minimize any harmful emissions to the environment.

The adaptation fund site in Marsabit County is located at Waldaa, Sololo sub-county. The area experiences prolonged drought throughout the year. In this area Kenya Red Cross Society (KRCS) has embarked on early recovery initiatives aimed at opening up land under irrigation in Waldaa as a disaster risk reduction strategy and enhancing food security.

Kenya Red Cross with local people will construct water pans to supply water for domestic and irrigation to improve resilience and adaptive capacity to climate change of the rural poor. Water harvested during the rainy seasons will be used in irrigation. Modern farming methods which are climate SMART (pressure compensated drip irrigation) will be adopted and solar energy will be used to power the pumping equipment’s , which will reduce fuel use and minimize any harmful emissions to the environment.

Murang’a County

The project sites in Muranga are located at Maragua(Fruit processor)in and Ajibika weir in kigumo  sub county.  The two projects are being implemented by Tana and Athi Rivers Development Authority (TARDA)

Taita Taveta County

The Kenya Adaptation fund project sites in Taita Taveta  is located within 4 schools namely;

  • Orkungu Primary,
  • Mwakishimba Primary,
  • Mgeno Primary and
  • Kajire Girls Secondary.

Coastal development Authority as an executing Entity, seeks to address the challenges of Over-extraction of groundwater and destruction of water catchments by encouraging water harvesting technologies.

Wajir County

The Kenya Adaptation fund project sites in Taita Taveta  is located within 4 schools namely;

  • Orkungu Primary,
  • Mwakishimba Primary,
  • Mgeno Primary and
  • Kajire Girls Secondary.

Coastal development Authority as an executing Entity, seeks to address the challenges of Over-extraction of groundwater and destruction of water catchments by encouraging water harvesting technologies.

Athi River Development Authority (TARDA), covers Machakos, Tana River, Meru, Makueni, Kajiado, Kiambu and Kitui Counties. These areas experience frequent droughts and unpredictable rainfall, which have devastating effects on the economy and livelihoods. The failure of the 2010 and 2011 seasonal rains followed by the rainfall deficits in the 2012 season virtually halted crop production and alarmingly reduced the water table. This situation has exposed the population in South-eastern Kenya to extreme weather conditions and increased vulnerability of these communities. Read more

The following are the sub-Entities under TARDA.

(i) Kenya Red Cross Society

(ii) Horn Aid

(iii) Caritas Nyeri 

2. Kenya Forestry Research Institute (KEFRI)

Kenya Forestry Research Institute (KEFRI), is one of the major Executing Entities of NIE. Its project by KEFRI is being implemented in Loitoktok, Kajiado County. Loitokitokis located at the southern tip of Rift Valley province near the Kenyan border and Republic of Tanzania to the West, Taveta district to the South East, Kajiado Central to the North West and Kibwezi to the East. Read More

The following are the sub-entities under KEFRI;

(i) Nasaru CBO

(ii) Victoria Research and Development (ViRED) 

(iii) Coast Development Authority (CDA)

Access project sites (Maps) HERE

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