Civil Society Organizations and Climate Mitigation in East Africa.A Case Study of Kenya

Abstract

Countries across world are continuing to grapple with the drastic climate change effects. As it stands, Kenya is among the countries in East Africa experiencing climate change challenges to a greater extent. Civil Society organizations serve an integral role in climate change mitigation as they actively take part in reducing or preventing the drastic impacts of climate change on local communities. Knowledge on the challenges that CSOs face in mitigating climate change in Kenya as well as the roles they play is missing. The main objective of this study was therefore to evaluate the roles of CSOs and the challenges they face in mitigating climate change in Kenya. Specifically, the study aimed at assessing the mitigation strategies put up by CSOs in local communities in response climate change and the challenges that impede the success of interventions set up by CSOs to mitigate climate change. The methodological approaches that underpinned the study were descriptive-analytical research design where the qualitative method was used in data collection using questionnaires, focus group discussions, and observations from witnesses as well as secondary data. Primary data were collected from 100 respondents who included officials from Green Africa Foundation, Ministry of Environment and Forestry, and Kenya Climate Change working groups who were sampled through purposive sampling. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS version 20. The findings of the study revealed that Kenya’s climate change profile which includes prolonged and frequent droughts, irregular and unpredictable rainfall, rising temperatures wildfires, snow melting, and rising sea levels impede climate change mitigation. The findings also highlighted that CSOs face challenges such as inadequate financial support from the government, constant mistrust between them and the government, the government setting up regulations that do favor their interventions. The findings further revealed that CSOs in Kenya has set up various strategies to aid in climate change viii mitigation such as replanting forests, emphasizing the need to shift to renewable sources of energy, proper land use, retrofitting buildings, and sustainable transport. The findings, therefore, suggest that CSOs have the potential of enhancing local mitigation to climate change through interventions that are tailored to fit the local context. The role of CSOs could be improved if the government rendered them enough support that would enhance their access to resources necessary for the effective mitigation of climate change.