Nyeri County Embraces Solar Energy to Combat Climate Change

In a commendable move towards sustainability, Nyeri County has embraced solar energy as a strategic solution to mitigate the adverse impacts of climate change. This initiative, driven by the Department of Climate Change under the Financing Locally-Led Climate Action (FLLoCA) program, has seen the installation of solar driers at Chorongi and Thageini Coffee Factories.

The introduction of these solar driers promises to transform coffee processing in the region. By slashing the drying time of coffee cherry beans by half, farmers can expect a reduction in labor costs and an increase in profits. According to Governor Mutahi Kahiga, this technology represents a significant pivot from reliance on natural sunlight and electricity, marking a new era for coffee production. “The driers will reduce drying time by 50%, maintain quality, reduce labor expenses, and ultimately increase farmer incomes,” Kahiga stated during his State of the County address.

In tandem with the solar drier project, the FLLoCA program has enhanced water accessibility throughout Nyeri County. Key projects include constructing a water intake for the Gatei Water Project in Magutu Ward and revamping several boreholes across the region. These ventures aim to bolster the water supply and support small-scale irrigation efforts.

Funded by the Government of Kenya, the World Bank, and other partners, FLLoCA is a five-year program dedicated to fostering locally-led climate resilience and building capacity for managing climate risks. Nyeri County has invested over Ksh 100 million into climate-friendly initiatives, such as planting over five million tree seedlings to combat climate change effectively.

A portion of this investment has been allocated to provide assorted fruit seedlings to farmers, promoting food security and offering a sustainable long-term solution. This aligns with the National Climate Change Act of 2016, mandating counties to incorporate climate action in their development agendas.

July saw the Nyeri County Climate Change Director, Yvonne Mathenge, unveil plans to expand the solar drier initiative to more coffee factories. “We initially budgeted for three or four solar driers and have already installed two,” she explained. “We plan to establish one or two more in other locations. This is one of our priority actions in enhancing climate responsiveness and production optimization in agriculture and manufacturing.”

One key advantage of solar driers over traditional methods is their resilience against weather variability and power outages, ensuring uninterrupted coffee processing. Governor Kahiga has called on residents to augment tree cover on their lands, emphasizing the role of tree planting in tackling deteriorating climatic conditions and combating deforestation.

In collaboration with the Upper Tana Nairobi Water Fund Trust and the Kenya Forest Service, Nyeri County successfully planted over 2 million trees in the last financial year. Governor Kahiga noted significant strides in environmental conservation, sharing that over 40,000 assorted tree species and 17,017 fruit tree seedlings were distributed and planted through educational and community initiatives.

Nyeri County stands at the forefront of ecological efforts with a forest cover of 40.8%, significantly higher than Kenya’s national average of 8.83%. The country has launched an ambitious campaign to plant 15 billion trees by 2032, aiming to curb greenhouse gas emissions and reverse deforestation trends.

The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification has issued a dire warning about land degradation, which currently affects 40% of the planet’s surface and impacts half of the global population. Without immediate intervention, drought conditions could affect over 75% of the world’s population by 2050.

Embarking on renewable energy initiatives like solar driers, boosting water access, and accelerating tree-planting drives, Nyeri County showcases a proactive stance in preserving the environment and fostering climate resilience for generations to come.