New County Green Fund Launched to Finance Local Climate Resilience Projects
In a landmark move to bolster climate action at the grassroots level, the National Treasury, in partnership with the Council of Governors (CoG) and international development partners, has officially launched the County Green Investment Facility (CGIF). The new fund, capitalized with an initial KSh 15 billion, is designed to provide counties with accessible financing for locally-led, climate-resilient projects. The initiative aims to bridge the critical funding gap that has often hindered the implementation of climate change adaptation and mitigation strategies outlined in County Integrated Development Plans (CIDPs).
The facility will operate as a challenge fund, where counties will submit detailed proposals for projects in sectors such as renewable energy, sustainable water management, climate-smart agriculture, and waste-to-energy programs. A technical committee will vet the proposals based on their potential for environmental impact, economic sustainability, and community benefits. For too long, climate finance has been centralized or inaccessible to our counties. This facility devolves climate action, ensuring that the resources go directly to where the impacts of climate change are most felt—in our communities, stated National Treasury Cabinet Secretary, Prof. Njuguna Ndung’u, during the launch event in Naivasha.
County governments have welcomed the initiative as a game-changer for realizing their green agendas. Governors from arid and semi-arid lands (ASALs), who are on the frontline of climate change impacts like drought, expressed particular optimism. This fund provides a practical mechanism for counties like ours to invest in large-scale solar irrigation projects and borehole solarization, moving us from dependency to resilience, said Mandera Governor, Mohamed Khalif. The private sector is also expected to play a role, with the facility designed to leverage additional private investment for viable green enterprises.
The long-term success of the CGIF is seen as pivotal for Kenya’s ability to meet its national climate commitments, known as the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), under the Paris Agreement. The fund’s managers have committed to a transparent and accountable disbursement process, with robust monitoring and evaluation frameworks to track project outcomes. This is not just about funding projects; it’s about building a green economy from the ground up, creating jobs, and securing the livelihoods of future generations. It is a tangible step towards a climate-proofed Kenya, said CoG Chairperson Anne Waiguru, signaling a new chapter in the country’s decentralized climate governance.