Nyeri County, Kenya, has adopted solar energy as a key strategy to mitigate climate change effects. The initiative, led by the Department of Climate Change under the Financing Locally-Led Climate Action (FLLoCA) program, has resulted in the construction of two solar driers at the Chorongi and Thageini Coffee Factories. These driers are expected to halve the drying time for coffee cherries, reduce labor costs, and increase farmers' profits.
During his State of the County address, Governor Mutahi Kahiga emphasized the transformative impact of this technology on coffee processing, which lessens dependence on natural sunlight and electricity. The FLLoCA program has also supported water accessibility projects, including a water intake for the Gatei Water Project and the rehabilitation of seven boreholes across the county.
With over Ksh 100 million invested in climate-friendly initiatives, Nyeri County aims to enhance food security and combat climate change by planting over five million tree seedlings. The solar drier project aligns with the National Climate Change Act of 2016, mandating counties to incorporate climate action into their development plans.
Plans to expand the solar drier project to additional coffee factories are underway, with Climate Change Director Yvonne Mathenge indicating the intention to install more driers in the near future. These solar driers provide a reliable alternative to traditional drying methods, ensuring consistent coffee processing regardless of weather conditions.
Governor Kahiga has also urged residents to increase tree cover to combat deforestation and worsening climatic conditions. Collaborating with various organizations, Nyeri County planted over two million trees in the last financial year, leading the nation in forest cover at 40.8 percent, significantly above Kenya's average of 8.83 percent.
Kenya is on a mission to plant 15 billion trees by 2032 to curb greenhouse gas emissions and reverse deforestation. The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification warns that 40 percent of the planet's land is degraded, which could impact over 75 percent of the global population by 2050 if urgent action is not taken. Nyeri County's initiatives demonstrate a proactive approach to environmental conservation and climate resilience.