Cabinet Secretary for Environment and Climate Change, Aden Duale, has unveiled two major initiatives to bolster Kenya’s response to climate change: the National Framework for Climate Services (NFCS), and the State of the Climate Kenya (SOCK) 2024 Report.
Speaking at the launch, Duale emphasized that these efforts mark a significant step toward a more resilient and sustainable future for the country.
“With immense pride and a profound sense of responsibility, I stand before you today as we mark a very important moment in Kenya’s history towards a resilient and sustainable future,” he said.
According to Duale, NFCS will serve as the foundation of Kenya’s climate strategy and provide timely, reliable, and actionable climate data to various sectors, including government agencies, businesses, academia, and local communities.
He noted that the framework is designed to enhance Kenya’s ability to anticipate, prepare for, and respond to climate variability and extreme weather events.
“By strengthening our capacity to focus, to prepare for, and to respond to climate variability and extreme events, this framework ensures that Kenya can adapt more effectively to the uncertainties of the changing climate,” he said.
The CS expressed his confidence in the implementation of NFCS framework which is expected to improve agricultural planning, water resource management, disaster risk response, and the protection of critical infrastructure.
“Our goal is very clear,” Duale said adding, “To build a nation that is resilient, that is informed, and that is ready to face the challenges posed by climate change and variability.”
Duale emphasized that, in addition to the framework, the SOCK 2024 Report offers a thorough evaluation of the country’s climate trends, challenges, and opportunities, describing it as a result of rigorous scientific research and expert analysis.
“This report paints a detailed picture of our current realities, highlighting both the trends we must urgently address as government and as a region and the opportunities that lie ahead,” he said adding that the insights presented in this report will serve as a compass for policymakers and stakeholders across the country and our region.
Additionally, he called on all stakeholders, from county governments, private enterprises, civil society organizations, and individual citizens, to actively participate in climate action.
“We are all custodians of Kenya’s future, we must harness the power of science, innovation, and partnerships to forge solutions that are both sustainable and inclusive,” the CS said.
Further, the CS stressed that while the two new initiatives provide the necessary tools, success will ultimately depend on collaboration, responsibility, and unity.
“Our determination and responsibility will drive this change. Together, we must implement strategies that not only mitigate the effects of climate change but also ensure that our natural heritage, biodiversity, and communities thrive for generations to come,” he stated.
In a quick rejoinder, the Principal Secretary (PS) of, State Department for Agriculture and Livestock Development, Jonathan Mueke, emphasized the urgent need for climate information in the agricultural sector, particularly in livestock farming, noting that climate change has severely impacted livestock productivity.
Mueke stressed that livestock farmers are affected not only by droughts but also by floods, which destroy water infrastructure leading to significant losses.
He welcomed the framework for improving coordination, allowing the sector to access vital climate data for better planning.
“Our livestock sector has been affected tremendously by events of climate change,” he said, explaining that excessive heat reduces animals’ appetite and increases the prevalence of ticks and bacteria, leading to lowered production of milk, eggs, and meat.
With accurate weather forecasts, he said, farmers can prepare for droughts and adopt climate-smart practices, including using drought-resistant fodder and pasture varieties to sustain livestock productivity.
His counterpart the Principal Secretary (PS) State Department of Forestry, Gitonga Mugambi, called on Kenyans to plant more trees to help address climate change, emphasizing that forests play a key role in regulating the climate.
“We have a 15-billion-tree target to meet as a country so that we can grow the 30 per cent cover needed to help moderate climate extremes,” he said.
The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has praised Kenya for its strong leadership in climate services and its commitment to advancing weather and climate information.
Speaking on behalf of Chief Executive of Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), Workneh Gebeyehu, the Chief of Mission for Africa in Kenya reiterated Kenya’s key role in the region, noting that WMO’s Eastern and Southern Africa offices are hosted in the country.
WMO commended the strong partnerships, science-driven solutions, and collaboration with various sectors as essential for building a climate-resilient Kenya.
By Clinton Ng’iela and Mark Muasa
