Kenya seeks $6 billion at climate talks for urban resilience projects

Activists hold a silent protest inside the COP29 venue to demand that rich nations provide climate finance to developing countries, in Baku on November 16, 2024. [AFP]

Kenya is ramping up efforts to secure funding for building resilient urban areas amid escalating challenges posed by climate change.

Lands, Public Works, Housing and Urban Development Cabinet Secretary Alice Wahome is leading Kenya’s delegation at the ongoing climate talks in Azerbaijan.

The focus of Kenya’s efforts is the Building Climate Resilience with the Urban Poor (BCRUP) programme, an initiative launched in 2019 following a call to action by UN Secretary-General António Guterres.

Kenya, alongside Brazil, has taken a leadership role in the programme, which has been adopted by 14 African countries.

“What has brought me here is the Housing and Urban Development programme under BCRUP,” said Wahome. “We have come here following our meeting in Cairo, where the builder of the BCRUP programme brought 14 African countries on board.”

The programme aims to address the vulnerabilities of urban populations, particularly the urban poor, who are disproportionately affected by climate-induced disasters such as droughts and floods.

Wahome said rapid urbanisation is straining infrastructure, leaving many without basic amenities such as water, electricity and roads.

“Every time there are disasters, the urban poor suffer the most,” said Wahome.

The CS explained the country’s ambitious affordable housing initiative, targeting 200,000 housing units, as a key pillar in addressing urban poverty and resilience.

She revealed that Kenya and other countries are lobbying for $6 billion in funding to pilot BCRUP projects in the 14 participating nations.

The programme has secured letters of no objection from the involved countries, with six nations confirming their readiness to proceed.

Wahome stressed that additional commitments are key to advancing the proposal and capturing donor interest.

“We are looking for $6 billion to be shared for the first pilot project,” said Wahome.”

The Green Climate Fund and other international partners have expressed interest in supporting the programme, which seeks to enhance urban resilience through infrastructure upgrades and adaptation measures.

The BCRUP initiative has drawn participation from African nations, including Ethiopia, Uganda, South Sudan, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Burundi, and Rwanda. Eswatini recently joined the programme, with efforts underway to bring seven additional countries on board.

A high-level meeting held alongside the climate talks focused on consolidating regional readiness and mobilising resources for implementation. Wahome explained the importance of collective action and concrete commitments to secure funding and move the programme forward.