Facing an increasing number of climate-related disasters, Kenya has taken a new step in its adaptation strategy by launching a $263.8 million program aimed at strengthening the resilience of the country's most vulnerable rural communities.
Called the Integrated Natural Resources Management Programme (INReMP), the initiative seeks to restore degraded ecosystems, improve water resource management, and strengthen food security across ten counties in western Kenya.
Supported by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the project is expected to benefit more than two million people across over 407,000 rural households. It includes the promotion of sustainable farming practices, the protection of natural resources, the restoration of degraded land, and the improvement of agricultural productivity.
The program comes as Kenya remains one of the African countries most exposed to the effects of climate change. According to the International Rescue Committee (IRC), the probability that the El Niño phenomenon will persist until the end of 2026 is estimated at 80% to 82%, raising fears of increased flooding and landslides.
Authorities recalled that the heavy rains recorded between March and May 2024 triggered a major crisis. According to the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), nearly 410,000 people were affected, 315 people lost their lives, and economic losses were estimated at 187 billion Kenyan shillings.
For Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, the investment represents a major opportunity to improve rural household incomes, boost agricultural productivity, create jobs, and strengthen communities' ability to withstand climate shocks.
At the same time, Nairobi continues to strengthen its risk preparedness strategy through the implementation of its 2024–2029 Anticipatory Action Roadmap and enhanced cooperation with several regional partners, notably the IGAD Climate Prediction and Applications Centre (ICPAC).