Vihiga County Embraces Bottom-up Model in Mitigating Climate Change

By Sarah Otiende

From rising sea levels to unpredictable weather patterns, the effects of climate change are no longer a distant threat. They are a present-day reality, driving worldwide efforts to find solutions and mitigate further damage.

Climate change has become an urgent global conversation, with its severe impacts increasingly being felt across communities in diverse ways.

In response, Vihiga County is partnering with grassroots communities to strengthen climate resilience and protect local livelihoods

While launching the Centre of Excellence for Climate Action and Research at Kaimosi Friends University, Vihiga County Governor Hon. Wilber Ottichilo urged county officials, university faculty, students, and the community to collaborate in utilizing the new center for research, data collection, and learning. 

"The university is the best place to establish this centre, as it provides a hub for research and education, vital to driving impactful climate change mitigation efforts for the Lake Region Economic Bloc (LREB)," Said Governor Ottichilo.

The governor pledged his full support for the centre and announced that Vihiga County would allocate 2% of its annual budget toward climate change initiatives. 

"This funding will be directed to support the center's ongoing research and community-driven projects aimed at building climate resilience across the county'" he said.

The Kaimosi University Vice Chancellor Prof. Peter Mwita emphasized the important role the centre will play in research and providing long-term- applicable climate solutions. 

"The Centre of Excellence for Climate Action (CECARE) is a significant platform for collaborations and mobilization of resources aimed at promoting evidence-based climate actions. It is timely and very impactful on the research, data, and evidence collection," noted Prof. Mwita.

"The centre will also be a learning hub for professional, academic, and community training on fighting climate change. It will provide climate information services, climate change action-based research, and knowledge exchange as well as promote climate-smart technologies and innovations for the Lake Region Economic Bloc LREB) and beyond." He added.

Abraham Barsosio, a climate advocate and the Program Coordinator for the Financing Locally-Led Climate Action (FLLoCA) program in Kenya emphasized the growing partnership between government bodies, local authorities, and academic institutions in tackling the pressing issue of climate change.

He further elaborated on the critical importance of academic institutions in offering continuous learning on climate change. 

 "It is critical for this university to offer both introductory and refresher courses on environmental and climate change topics, to keep the community informed and up-to-date on the latest developments of climate change," he said

"By offering such courses, the Centre would not only benefit students but also local leaders, who play a key role in implementing climate action at the grassroots level. This initiative will significantly enhance the capacity of the community to respond to the challenges posed by climate change in their everyday lives." He emphasized. 

Barsasio also commended Vihiga County for its proactive climate action policies and the county's collaboration with local ambassadors to implement climate projects on the ground. He highlighted that "These efforts foster a deep sense of ownership within the community, as residents take the lead in driving climate solutions."

Vihiga county governor EGH. Wilber Ottichilo (seated)fourth from left with other stakeholders during the launch of Centre of Excellence For Climate Action and Research (CECARE)

Tapping into Opportunities

Mary Ongeche, the CEO of the Taka Taka ni Mali initiative, is leading a groundbreaking effort to tap into the positive side of climate change through innovation and community engagement. Her initiative focuses on tackling the growing issue of plastic waste by collecting, recycling, and transforming it into reusable plastics and paper products.

Taka Taka ni Mali has a unique digital app designed by Ongeche, which connects waste collectors with buyers of recycled materials seamlessly and cost-effectively. This app has revolutionized the waste management sector by providing a platform where waste collectors can easily identify buyers and secure affordable rates, making waste collection a more profitable and accessible business.

Beyond the technological aspect, Ongeche's program has created significant employment opportunities for the youth, empowering them with skills in both technology and handicrafts. Through her initiative, young people are not only contributing to a cleaner environment but are also gaining hands-on experience in recycling, innovation, and entrepreneurship.

"This program highlights how climate change, often viewed in a negative light, can also bring about positive transformation. By focusing on sustainability and waste management, Taka Taka ni Mali is offering a practical solution to the environmental challenges posed by plastic pollution, while simultaneously creating economic opportunities for the community" Mary Ongeche remarked.

The initiative stands as a shining example of how climate action can be a catalyst for innovation, employment, and long-term environmental change.

These community-driven approaches have proven to be effective in ensuring that relevant climate information reaches those most impacted by environmental changes, empowering them to take meaningful action.

The partnership between government, academia, and community leaders, as showcased by the Kaimosi Friends University in collaboration with Vihiga County government, is a crucial step in creating a sustainable model for climate resilience in Vihiga County and should be adopted by other counties to effect a clear climate change mitigation journey.

By nurturing this collaboration, the region is not only addressing immediate climate adaptation needs but also laying the groundwork for long-term, inclusive climate action that engages everyone; students, leaders, and community members alike, in building a more climate-resilient future.