- Transparency International Kenya has launched its Climate Governance Integrity Program in an effort to empower communities to take action on climate change.
Social accountability in climate governance is emerging as a critical dimension in the fight against climate change.
As global warming's impacts become increasingly severe and widespread, the effectiveness of climate policies hinges not only on their design and implementation but also on the transparency and responsiveness of the governing bodies that enforce them.
Transparency International Kenya has launched its Climate Governance Integrity Program in an effort to empower communities to take action on climate change.
The project, funded by the Waverley ST Foundation, will be conducted for one year and seven months in two counties, Homa Bay and Elgeyo Marakwet. It will ensure that communities actively participate in decision-making regarding climate governance.
Speaking during a stakeholders meeting, Abrahams Misoi, the Program Manager at Transparency International, said that the project's main aim is to foster capacity building at the grassroots level to enable communities to acknowledge their roles in the efforts towards climate governance.
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"The program aims at promoting social accountability at the grassroot level, we want every member of the communities to understand and participate in climate governance process especially climate action mitigation and adaptation programs, the society has to understand that they call shots when it comes to utilization of the resources, " said Mr Misoi.
Mr Misoi also added that the Empowering Communities for Climate Change Action (ECCA) also aims to support and empower communities by ensuring that county government works together with communities in decision-making, making them understand what FLLoCA is and what projects it funds for transparency and accountability.
"This program will also empower communities to understand what Financing Locally Led Climate Action Program (FLLoCA) is all about so that they know their roles in terms of providing governance, transparency and accountability in the management of these funds, " added Mr Misoi.
The County Chief Officer for Water, Sanitation, Environment, Forestry Energy, and Climate Change, Collins Obango, said that the county government of Homabay is ready to collaborate with Transparency International to raise awareness and develop policies to enhance climate governance.
Mr Obango shared that through capacity building, residents of the county will be able to take active roles in implementing the FLLoCA programs around the county, which include enhancing water services, improving sustainable agriculture, and implementing environmental protection interventions.
"Today we are seeking a partnership with Transparency International to enhance capacity building of our people at grassroot levels to enable them have knowledge in decision making as we implement the FLLoCA programs including water projects, improving sustainable agriculture and implementing environment protection interventions," said Mr Obango.
Coalition of Homa Bay Organization on Governance Oversight (CHOGO) Coordinator Edgar Ochweyo lamented that proper communication and a lack of information from the county government have been major hindrances to Civil Society Organizations' quest for transparency and accountability.
"Lack of information and communication from the county government in terms of project identifications and resource allocations has been the major challenge we face as CSOs. This makes it difficult to exercise transparency and accountability when fighting graft," said the CHOGO Coordinator, Mr Ochweyo.
Social accountability fosters greater public engagement, oversight, and feedback, ensuring that climate governance is about setting ambitious targets and maintaining integrity, equity, and effectiveness in achieving those goals.
“In an era where trust in institutions is often eroded, robust social accountability can bridge gaps between policy and practice, driving meaningful progress in climate action and fostering a more inclusive and sustainable future ability when fighting graft," said Mr Ochweyo.
Social accountability fosters greater public engagement, oversight, and feedback, ensuring that climate governance is about setting ambitious targets and maintaining integrity, equity, and effectiveness in achieving those goals.
