MPs seek inclusion, press for accountability in climate change projects’ implementation

Naivasha, Nakuru County
Friday, May 23, 2025

Members of Parliament are advocating for their inclusion in the determination and implementation of climate change projects across the country. During a high-level engagement on climate action with the National Treasury, legislators voiced concerns over their exclusion from these programs.

They pointed out that despite their crucial role in lobbying for, and approving funding for climate action initiatives, the Financing Locally Led Climate Action (FLLOCA) program has primarily engaged Governors and Members of the County Assemblies in rolling out these programs, excluding Senators and Members of the National Assembly.

The Members, convening under the umbrella of the bi-cameral Parliamentary Caucus on Climate Change, addressed these issues during the opening session of a sensitization workshop designed to enlighten them on climate funding and governance. Led by the caucus's Co-Convenors, Homa Bay Senator Moses Kajwang’ and Njoro legislator Hon. Charity Kathambi, the Members emphasized their role in ensuring the allocation of funds for these programs. They further stressed their responsibility in overseeing the program's implementation to guarantee value for money.

“We acknowledge that FLLOCA has become one of the most visible projects in the counties. However, as Members of Parliament, we must be part of the programme to ensure there is value for money,” Sen. Kajwang’ stated.

Hon. Kathambi also underscored the role of lawmakers in championing budgetary allocation for these funds and called on FLLOCA to liaise with MPs in identifying a project in every constituency for implementation.

“It is unfortunate that despite the role of MPs in lobbying and approving the climate change funding, only Governors and Members of the County Assemblies have been involved in the implementation of these programs. We are requesting that you consider funding a project in every constituency preferably a borehole,” she urged.

Calls for stricter accountability framework

At the same time, the lawmakers have advocated for a stringent framework to ensure accountability in the usage of these funds. 

The Deputy Speaker of the Senate, Sen. Kathuri Murungi, emphasized the need for accountability, stating, “There is a need for us to know, who does oversight of these monies that go to the counties to fund climate change projects”.

Lawmakers Hon. Adams Kipsanai, Hon. Gideon Kimaiyu, and Hon. Bernard Kitur questioned Parliament’s role in the country’s climate governance architecture, calling for the review of the funding model. 

This was after the FLLOCA program coordinator, Peter Odhengo, revealed that 90% of the Fund had been allocated to projects under county governments, with the remaining 10% set aside for capacity building and national-level operations.

Meanwhile, Sen. Kajwang’ has reiterated that Kenya’s contribution to the Green Climate Fund should be utilized locally to accelerate transformative climate action. 

He stressed that it would be imprudent for the monies to be directed to fund the work of consultants based in foreign capitals without having an impact on local communities who are the most affected by adverse effects of climate change.

“We need Kenya’s contribution to the Green Climate Fund to be utilized locally so that it can create an impact on local communities,” he held.

The Members also sought to know the fate of the USD 1 million from the Green Climate Fund which in 2024 was allocated to the Parliament of Kenya for capacity building on climate action. 

They argued that the Fund, which is administered by UNIDO (United Nations Industrial Development Organization)—a partner of the Green Climate Fund (GCF), through Climate Parliament, has only benefited external consultants.

Making her remarks on behalf of the Chairperson, Senate Standing Committee on Land, Environment, Nominated Senator Beatrice Ogolla, noted that the Committee has been working with the Council of Governors (COG) on climate change matters. 

She pledged that the Committee would endeavor to continuously partner with them to resolve intergovernmental disputes over forest management and carbon credit sharing, fostering unity in climate governance.

“The Committee is committed to actively engage the public through its visits to Counties to assess projects being done and we will soon embark on projects done under the Financial Locally-Led Climate Action (FLLoCA) Program to ensure fairness in resource distribution”, she stated.

Besides the Caucus Members, Members of the Senate Standing Committee on Land, Environment and Natural Resources and the National Assembly Departmental Committee on Environment, Forestry and Mining, are also attending the 5-day workshop.