NAIROBI, Kenya – The government has launched a nationwide training programme for Chiefs to strengthen climate security at the grassroots level, marking a significant step in the country’s effort to link environmental resilience with internal stability.
The initiative, under the National Climate Change Security Resilience Programme (NCCSRP), was unveiled Monday at the IGAD Centre for Climate Prediction and Applications (ICPAC) in Nairobi.
It targets over 4,000 Chiefs across the country, equipping them with tools to manage local climate risks, coordinate community responses, and support peacebuilding efforts.
“This is no longer just an environmental concern. It is a matter of national security,” said Dr. Raymond Omollo, Principal Secretary for Internal Security and National Administration, who presided over the opening session. “Chiefs are uniquely positioned to act as trusted conveners – and now, climate champions – at the community level.”
The programme reflects a shift in how Kenya frames climate change — not just as an ecological or development issue, but as a driver of displacement, intercommunal conflict, and economic disruption.
The training extends beyond Chiefs. Officers from the National Police Service, Kenya Prisons Service, and Immigration Department are also taking part, in line with the government’s whole-of-government approach to climate resilience.
Since its national rollout in May 2024, NCCSRP has mobilized over 13,000 Kenyans across more than 1,600 grassroots groups led by Chiefs.
The monthly Chiefs Climate Action Day, held every first Friday, has become a cornerstone of local engagement — with each site averaging over 250 trees planted.
The activity supports President William Ruto’s national target to plant 15 billion trees by 2032.
“As we plant trees, we are not just restoring landscapes — we are planting peace, stability, and hope,” said Dr. Omollo, who urged Chiefs to scale up climate action in their regions and embrace technology-based solutions.
The training is backed by technical support from the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), whose climate experts will assist in risk analysis and resilience programming.
Dr. Elizabeth Carabine, Climate Security Advisor to the Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa, praised Kenya’s approach as a model for other nations.
“Member states in this region are setting a global standard for linking climate and peace,” she said. “Kenya’s approach offers a replicable blueprint.”
IGAD’s Climate Security Mechanism Coordinator, Mr. Abdikarim Mohammed, and ICPAC Director Dr. Abdi Fidar also attended the event, reaffirming IGAD’s commitment to regional coordination in climate security efforts.
The urgency of the training was underscored by recent climate-related disasters, including last year’s floods that left at least 40 people dead and over 3,000 displaced.
Dr. Omollo highlighted the Nairobi River Restoration Programme, which is being replicated nationwide, as part of broader resilience-building measures.
“You are not here just for your locations — you represent the administrative fabric of this nation,” Dr. Omollo told the Chiefs.
