CLIMATE CHANGE: NCCK, NOREB SIGN MOU
PRESS RELEASE
The National Council of Churches of Kenya has today signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the partner counties of the North Rift Economic Bloc (NOREB) during a summit meeting and prayer service held at the County Hall, Eldoret.
The signing of the MOU was led by the Chairman of the NCCK, Rev Dr Elias Otieno Agola, and HE Hon Stephen Sang, the Governor of Nandi County and Chairman of NOREB. Other County Governors present were HE Jonathan Bii of Uasin Gishu, HE Wisley Rotich of Elgeyo Marakwet, and HE Simon Kachapin of West Pokot. Governor Benjamin Cheboi of Baringo was represented by the Deputy Governor, while the Governors of Samburu, Trans Nzoia and Turkana were unable to attend.
“This is a special event in which we will widen and accelerate our work with our development partner NCCK,” the Chairman of NOREB remarked, adding, “the Kerio Valley, where we started working with NCCK, has a huge potential for impacting lives of the residents the entire nation”. He emphasized the desire of the counties to develop a Marshal Plan for development of the Valley and the entire region.
“We are here to walk with every county government that is in place. Our message is the message of consultation especially on matters climate change and betterment of lives”, explained Rev Dr Agola.
The MOU signed today sets a framework for implementation of community empowerment initiatives through joint initiatives in dignified livelihoods, governance, food security, education, health, climate change and empowerment of marginalized groups. The NCCK and NOREB will engage in joint project design, resource mobilization, implementation and monitoring, with a commitment to reach the youth, women, and persons with disabilities.
Building on the MOU, the NCCK also signed the Inter County Climate Change Cooperation Agreement with NOREB, under which the counties will synergize structures and policies to conserve the ecosystem and mitigate climate change. The NCCK will provide a monitoring and evaluation framework for the engagements so as to improve community resilience.
Further, the Governors launched the NOREB Climate Change Action Plan that was developed in partnership with the NCCK.
The NCCK has over the last six years partnered with NOREB to implement different projects which include the Community Resilience in Kerio River Ecosystem (CORKE) in 2018, which culminated in the signing of an Inter County Climate Change Cooperation Agreement between Baringo, Elgeyo Marakwet, West Pokot, and Turkana counties. The two institutions in addition partnered to respond to the Covid 19 pandemic in 2020. This was followed by partnership in organizing the NOREB Peace Conference in 2022. In 2024, NCCK worked closely with NOREB to develop and finalize the NOREB Gender Policy. Currently, the NCCK has supported NOREB in the development of a NOREB Counties Climate Change Action Plan.
The NCCK appreciates the partnership with NOREB counties, especially on climate change interventions.
Signed on this 3rd day of July 2025 at Uasin Gishu County Headquarters, Eldoret
Rev Canon Chris Kinyanjui
GENERAL SECRETARY
