CONSULTATIVE ROUND TABLE MEETING WITH MARSABIT’S COUNTY CLIMATE CHANGE STAKEHOLDERS

Through the voice for change partnership project (V4CP) PACJA held a consultative meeting to discuss how different stakeholders in the climate change field and the county government can work together on enhancing the resilience of the   pastoralist community in Marsabit County. The project which is in partnership with SNV seeks to ensure a stronger resilience of pastoral systems to the adverse impacts of climate change within the county.

Climate change   has  had  and is  expected  to  continue  to  pose  severe impact  on the   different sectors in the county. Livestock, fisheries, Rangeland and agriculture are some of the sectors most affected. With  the county being largely  arid  and  semi-arid,  the county government has commenced processes to address climate change issues by developing climate change mainstreaming guidelines, climate change adaptation  action plan and an environmental Bill which is being developed. The policy once enacted   will enable the counties to   benefit from climate funds  both  allocation from  the  county government  and also  from development partners, which  will  enhance  adaptive  initiatives  in the  county.

Stakeholders discussed the different policy processes at varied stages of formulation. It was   indicated that the process of development   climate change policy in Marsabit has been initiated   and is currently at the zero draft. PACJA and other stakeholders within the forum committed to   supporting the process which is being spearheaded by MIONET.

Issues of public consultation in development of the policy were also flagged as   an important issue to be considered in the early stages of development of the policy. Public  consultation is an important  component    towards  the  creating of inclusive  policies  which  will  address the  needs  of  the  community. The civic education and public participation office will be engaged closely to help In creating   awareness on climate change issues affecting the county and how the policies will benefit and improve their livelihoods.

CONSULTATIVE ROUND TABLE MEETING WITH MARSABIT’S COUNTY CLIMATE CHANGE STAKEHOLDERS

Through the voice for change partnership project (V4CP) PACJA held a consultative meeting to discuss how different stakeholders in the climate change field and the county government can work together on enhancing the resilience of the   pastoralist community in Marsabit County. The project which is in partnership with SNV seeks to ensure a stronger resilience of pastoral systems to the adverse impacts of climate change within the county.

Climate change   has  had  and is  expected  to  continue  to  pose  severe impact  on the   different sectors in the county. Livestock, fisheries, Rangeland and agriculture are some of the sectors most affected. With  the county being largely  arid  and  semi-arid,  the county government has commenced processes to address climate change issues by developing climate change mainstreaming guidelines, climate change adaptation  action plan and an environmental Bill which is being developed. The policy once enacted   will enable the counties to   benefit from climate funds  both  allocation from  the  county government  and also  from development partners, which  will  enhance  adaptive  initiatives  in the  county.

Stakeholders discussed the different policy processes at varied stages of formulation. It was   indicated that the process of development   climate change policy in Marsabit has been initiated   and is currently at the zero draft. PACJA and other stakeholders within the forum committed to   supporting the process which is being spearheaded by MIONET.

Issues of public consultation in development of the policy were also flagged as   an important issue to be considered in the early stages of development of the policy. Public  consultation is an important  component    towards  the  creating of inclusive  policies  which  will  address the  needs  of  the  community. The civic education and public participation office will be engaged closely to help In creating   awareness on climate change issues affecting the county and how the policies will benefit and improve their livelihoods.

The Voice for Change Partnership Project (V4CP)

This V4CP project is designed and implemented under the premise that appropriate policies are a key component of stabilising the livelihoods of pastoral systems especially those that are geared towards adapting to a changing climate. Policies should be well formulated and adaptive to the needs of pastoral communities, incorporating indigenous knowledge and recognising the role of customary institutions. Supporting these is therefore paramount for to achieve the ambition of the project.

The long-term goal of the V4CP project under the theme of resilience is to achieve climate-resilient pastoralists’ communities with strengthened voice and participation in climate change policy-making processes in Kenya. This goal will be attained through the realization of enactment and implementation of inclusive legal frameworks and integration of pastoralists’ representatives in structures and processes of climate change decision-making. With PACJA’s vast experience and existing space as a credible CSO voice on climate change matters in Africa and particularly Kenya, and particularly in Kenya, PACJA understands and acknowledges the need for establishment of an institutionalized process for pastoralist organizations’.

The project goal is to increase pastoralist resilience to climate change by enhancing their voice in climate change policy formulation and implementation in Kenya.

OBJECTIVES

1. To enhance capacity of V4CP partners and CSOs partners on understanding of climate resilience, climate policy advocacy and climate finance to facilitate integration of climate change into Food security, Renewable energy and Resilience work
2. To Increase collaboration between CSOs, private sector and government for climate action.
3. To facilitate improved accountability mechanism at national and county levels in climate change processes.