The National Treasury has released the distribution list for the Ksh 11.2 billion Climate Resilience Investment Grant, with Kakamega, Nandi, and Bungoma counties emerging as the biggest winners while cities like Nairobi and Mombasa miss out on this specific pot.

The funds, mobilized under the Financing Locally-Led Climate Action (FLLoCA) program, are a lifeline for rural counties facing the brunt of climate change. With the World Bank contributing Ksh 5.7 billion and Germany’s KfW adding Ksh 1.2 billion, the grant is designed to put money directly into the hands of villages to build dams, plant trees, and secure their future.

The Winners and Losers

Kakamega County, the land of the crying stone and the vanishing forest, secured the lion’s share of Ksh 543.8 million. This allocation reflects the county’s massive rural population and its critical role in the water tower ecosystem. Nandi follows closely with Ksh 403.8 million, and Bungoma with Ksh 399.3 million.

Conversely, Nairobi, Mombasa, and Kiambu were excluded from the County Climate Resilience Investment (CCRI) grant. Why? The grant's strict criteria target rural wards with high climate vulnerability. These urban counties, however, are not empty-handed; they qualify for other urban-specific climate financing streams.

• The Criteria: Allocations were based on a performance formula: 1.5% of the county budget must be dedicated to climate action, and there must be functional Ward Climate Change Committees.
• The Usage: The money cannot be used for seminars or per diems. It is strictly for capital projects—water pans, solar-powered boreholes, and drought-resistant crop initiatives.
• The Watchdog: The World Bank has set strict audit trails. Any governor found diverting these funds to buy Prados will face immediate blacklisting.

Green Money, Black Reality

This disbursement comes at a critical time. Kenya is oscillating between devastating floods and punishing droughts. For a farmer in Migori (which got Ksh 361.5 million), this money is not an abstract figure; it is the difference between a harvest and hunger.

However, the challenge remains absorption. Historically, counties have struggled to spend development funds. "Having the money is one thing," notes climate activist Elizabeth Wathuti. "Spending it on the right projects before the next drought hits is the real test."

As the billions flow to the grassroots, the spotlight now turns to the Ward Committees. [...](asc_slot://start-slot-5)They are the gatekeepers. Will they build resilience, or will this be another case of money evaporating like morning dew?