A wave of excitement swept through the Trans Nzoia County Environment offices on Monday as community members gathered to receive tools and equipment designed to kick-start environment-friendly, income-generating ventures. This initiative was made possible through the Financing Locally Led Climate Actions (FLLoCA) program.
Hundreds of community members from the county’s 25 wards converged at the offices to collect a variety of items intended to support ventures that not only mitigate the effects of climate change but also enhance their resilience to its impacts.
During this auspicious event, vulnerable women were provided with energy-saving jikos, while community groups received water tanks, tree nursery tools, equipment, and beehives. These donations aim to support conservation efforts by creating alternative livelihoods.
The distribution exercise was led by County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Water, Environment, Natural Resources, and Climate Change (WENRCC), Pepela Wanjala, along with Chief Officer Dorothy Nyukuri. The jubilant community members expressed their gratitude as they received the donations.
Each beneficiary of the jiko koa also received eco-friendly briquettes—charcoal made from waste materials—designed to reduce the need for logging for charcoal production. Tree nursery groups were equipped with a 3,000-liter water tank, spades, jembes, rakes, wheelbarrows, water pipes, and seeds to kickstart their ventures.
“I am now 64, but in my entire life, I have never been gifted this way. I am glad that our county administration is working effortlessly to support us, and my case is a true account of the good deeds they are doing for the communities,” said Mary Nanjala, a jiko koa beneficiary from Matisi informal settlement.
CECM Wanjala urged the beneficiaries to make full use of their tools and equipment, promoting sustainable environmental practices while reaping commercial benefits from their ventures. He assured the community that the county administration would continue to support the beneficiaries by providing markets for their products, including honey and tree seedlings. He also encouraged them to form groups and apply for the Nawiri Fund, an empowerment initiative launched by Governor George Natembeya.
“We will offer training for the beneficiaries of beehives so that they can acquire the necessary knowledge for beekeeping,” Pepela announced, receiving applause from the thrilled community members.
In her remarks, Chief Officer Nyukuri emphasized that the three-year FLLoCA program is focused on promoting sustainable environmental practices. She affirmed the department’s commitment to continuing its support for community-driven environmental conservation efforts.
Nyukuri encouraged community members to collaborate closely with the Ward Climate Change Planning Committees, which assist in writing proposals for identified challenges that require county government support for implementation.
The FLLoCA program, funded by the World Bank, national and county governments, and other donors, aims to combat climate change through a local approach that involves identifying climate challenges and their solutions at the grassroots level.
The event was coordinated by the County Climate Change Unit (CCU), led by its Focal Person, Mr. Godfrey Wekesa.
