Kitui County’s Deputy Governor, H.E. Wambua Kanani, is urging for a more collaborative approach that leverages local research to enhance the county’s readiness and response to climate change and extreme weather challenges.
During a one-day PALM-TREES stakeholders’ meeting held on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, in Kitui, Kanani emphasized the importance of using evidence gathered from local communities to inform the county’s development policies and climate resilience initiatives.
The gathering aimed to share insights from community-based research conducted between 2023 and 2026 in Mwingi Central and Kitui South Sub-counties. This research focused on how households are affected by and cope with climate stressors like drought, heat waves, and flooding.
Representing Governor Julius Malombe and the County Government of Kitui, Kanani expressed gratitude to the National Drought Management Authority (NDMA), the University of Nairobi, and other PALM-TREES partners for organizing the event and providing valuable insights into the climate-related challenges faced by local communities.
He particularly highlighted the ongoing partnership between Kitui County and NDMA, noting that this collaboration has significantly bolstered drought resilience, climate risk management, and evidence-based planning and response strategies.
Kitui is particularly susceptible to climate fluctuations, with extended droughts and unpredictable rainfall adversely impacting agricultural output, food security, water supply, livelihoods, public health, and nutrition.
The Deputy Governor pointed out that while the county has made climate resilience a key focus in its development plans, achieving sustainable solutions hinges on having reliable localized data, fostering strong partnerships, and ensuring active community participation in identifying and tackling climate risks.
Kanani remarked that the findings from PALM-TREES create a vital connection between community experiences and the broader climate resilience efforts.
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