The National Treasury has allocated Sh11.2 billion to 46 counties to boost climate resilience for the 2025/2026 financial year, targeting communities most vulnerable to droughts, floods, and other climate shocks.
The announcement was made in a Kenya Gazette notice on Friday, January 23, under the County Climate Resilience Investment Grant, a programme managed jointly by county governments and international development partners.
The funding combines contributions from the World Bank, which is providing Sh5.7 billion through its International Development Association, KfW Germany contributing Sh1.2 billion, and Sh4.2 billion from the counties themselves.
Kakamega County tops the list with Sh543 million, while Isiolo County receives the smallest allocation of Sh33 million. Other notable recipients include Nandi County with Sh404 million, Homa Bay Sh400 million, Bungoma Sh399 million, Migori Sh361 million, Kisii Sh352 million, and Turkana Sh348 million. Uasin Gishu receives Sh347 million, Narok Sh339 million, and Bomet Sh305 million.
Further allocations include Marsabit Sh292 million, Mandera Sh289 million, Kilifi Sh274 million, Garissa Shh268 million, Wajir Sh268 million, Murang’a Sh129 million, and Machakos Sh127 million.
The funds are intended for projects guided by county climate risk assessments, with key areas including water management, agriculture adaptation, resilient infrastructure, early warning systems, and disaster readiness. Counties must present detailed plans for fund use and comply with environmental and social safeguards.
To ensure transparency and proper management, counties will establish dedicated climate fund structures, maintain separate accounts for these funds, and submit quarterly financial and progress reports to the National Treasury and supporting development partners.
Out of Kenya’s 47 counties, 23 face acute climate change impacts, including unpredictable rainfall, drought, and resource-driven conflicts. Arid counties such as Turkana, Marsabit, Samburu, Wajir, Mandera, Garissa, and Isiolo often reach drought alert levels, suffering livestock losses and food insecurity.
Other counties, including Kitui, Makueni, Machakos, Taita Taveta, and Tharaka Nithi, experience crop failures and water shortages, prompting the adoption of drought-resistant crops and dryland farming techniques.
In coastal regions, Mombasa and Kilifi counties are threatened by rising sea levels, which lead to coastal erosion, salinisation of water supplies, and damage to infrastructure during high tides.
Rift Valley counties such as Baringo, Laikipia, and West Pokot are seeing increased competition for water and pasture, resulting in conflicts as herders move into private lands and conservancies. The funding aims to help counties strengthen resilience, safeguard livelihoods, and reduce the impact of climate shocks on vulnerable populations.
