By Nyakundi Bw’Otwere
In response to the growing health impacts of climate change, more than 63,000 residents in Makueni and Tana River counties are set to benefit from a new Climate and Health Resilience Fund, a one-year initiative aimed at equipping communities with the knowledge and tools needed to navigate climate-induced health challenges.
The Ksh12.91 million project will be implemented and monitored jointly by the Kenya Red Cross Society (KRCS) and Prudential Kenya, with support from the Prudence Foundation, which has contributed $100,000 to the initiative.
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The effort is focused on addressing the complex interplay between climate change and public health, particularly in Kenya’s most vulnerable regions where recurring droughts, floods, food insecurity, and disease outbreaks have become increasingly common.
In recent years, Tana River and Makueni counties have experienced a significant rise in malnutrition, waterborne diseases, and poor maternal and child health outcomes—conditions exacerbated by harsh environmental conditions and limited access to critical resources.
Speaking at the launch event in Hola, Tana River County, Gwen Kinisu, CEO and Managing Director of Prudential Kenya, emphasized the disproportionate impact of climate change on women and children.
“Through the generosity of our Prudence Foundation, we are taking a bold step forward. This fund will drive a project designed to address climate-related health challenges in a sustainable way, focusing on education, empowerment, and community resilience,” she said.
Under the initiative, KRCS will take the lead in delivering a wide range of community-based interventions.
These include the provision of first aid and climate-health education for schoolchildren, aimed at helping young people identify and respond to health threats such as heatstroke, malaria, and cholera.
Children will also receive basic first aid training to empower them as first responders in their communities.
KRCS will further oversee the installation of water purification and rainwater harvesting systems in schools, the establishment of school kitchen gardens, and the promotion of climate-smart agriculture practices to improve food security.
Additionally, schools will receive support in developing and implementing climate-resilience plans to ensure learning continuity during climate-related disruptions.
To strengthen community ownership, the program will mobilize mother and youth groups to champion health, hygiene, and climate-resilient practices.
Community Health Workers (CHWs), local leaders, and government stakeholders will also be engaged to ensure that climate resilience is fully integrated into health and education systems.
KRCS will provide quarterly financial reports to track progress and ensure transparency and accountability throughout the project’s duration.
According to recent statistics, an estimated 2.1 million people in Kenya’s Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASAL) faced acute food insecurity last year due to prolonged drought.
Children remain at heightened risk, with chronic malnutrition (stunting) among those under five recorded at 18.3% in Tana River and 17.6% in Makueni.
ASAL counties such as Tana River and Makueni face a unique set of development challenges.
These include frequent climate shocks, such as droughts and erratic rainfall that disrupt agricultural production and livelihoods.
Infrastructure deficits, including limited access to roads, electricity, and clean water, continue to hinder economic development and emergency response.
In addition, low literacy levels and limited access to quality education and healthcare services contribute to poor human development indicators in the region. Periodic resource-based conflicts and insecurity also pose ongoing threats to stability and long-term development efforts.
The Climate and Health Resilience Fund aims to serve as a model for climate-responsive health interventions that prioritize vulnerable populations while fostering long-term, sustainable development across Kenya’s climate-stressed regions.
