Council of Governors (COG) Chairperson Anne Waiguru has asked world leaders to prioritise actions being taken to mitigate climate change and adaptation in all development sectors.

Waiguru spoke while attending the 27th UN Conference on Climate Change (COP 27) which was taking place at Sharm El Sheikh in Egypt, during a session to examine multilevel action.

The session also examined how subnational and international actors can be able to work together to drive climate progress faster and respond to a rapidly growing world.

She said development sectors like agriculture, livestock, water, environment, infrastructure, sustainable livelihoods, health, energy infrastructure and tourism offer a chance to integrate climate change mitigation and adaptation.


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Waiguru called for development of wastewater initiatives to embrace climate smart agriculture, clean energy and afforestation to better use resources and improve efficiency.

She called for empowerment of all climate actors to enable them manage disruptions occasioned by climate change by raising awareness and technical assistance activities.


“Creation of enabling environment for climate change through mitigation and adaptation at subnational levels though conducive policy and legal environment to support climate action is also a matter of priority.” said Waiguru.

The Kirinyaga Governor proposed integration of the roles of youth, women, persons with disability, indigenous people and local communities in finding solutions to climate change.

She said counties now support green investments headed by women and youth to improve livelihoods and create jobs while restoring the forest cover, watershed and rangelands.


She asked countries to shun measuring economic progress based solely on GDP growth and embrace one balancing human development with multiple values of nature for quality life.

Waiguru urged the international community to fast track the flow of climate finance to complement public sources to support interventions that enhance community resilience.


The COG Chair wants the ability of the 47 county government strengthened on access to Green and Blue Bonds and the activation of Climate Change Units and environment committees.

She said Kenya is among countries adversely affected by climate change with the current drought ravaging 29 Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASAL) counties due to the failure of four consecutive rainy seasons, putting more than 4.35 million people in need of urgent food aid.


“Counties have also undertaken participatory climate risk assessment in collaboration with community members and stakeholders and we are encouraging peer to peer learning across the county governments,” she added.