Uasin Gishu County emerged a leader in climate governance at the International Conference on Renewable Energy and Climate Change (ICRECC) 2025. The event, held at Blueberry Villas in Eldoret, drew international stakeholders, including a delegation from Uganda’s Parliamentary Climate Change Committee and representatives from France. Led by Governor Jonathan Bii Chelilim, the county delegation submitted ten academic papers for presentation, placing Uasin Gishu among the few counties actively contributing to global climate dialogue through research.
The governor’s direct involvement in the scholarly aspect of the conference has been widely lauded, as has the participation of senior officials from the Department of Energy and Climate Change. The conference also saw robust representation from Moi University, which submitted over 50 academic papers, underscoring the institution’s regional role in climate research and its long-standing partnership with the county government. According to Dr. Silas Letting, Director of Energy for Uasin Gishu County, ICRECC will be instrumental in enhancing project oversight and resource efficiency. “The conference will serve as a platform for the county to monitor and evaluate its programmes with the support of expert reviews,” said Dr. Letting. “This approach will not only save budgetary allocations but also entrench innovation and optimize service delivery.” The Ugandan delegation, led by Hon. Songa Lawrence Biyika, expressed interest in replicating some of Uasin Gishu’s climate strategies, citing the county’s proactive governance and research-driven approach as a model worth emulating. In a plenary session, conference participants stressed the importance of bridging the gap between academia and government in tackling climate challenges. “We should work as a team to find lasting solutions,” one speaker remarked. “When academia meets government, great things happen.” Governor Bii echoed that sentiment, emphasizing that the conference should yield more than dialogue. “Let’s not meet just to talk,” he said. “Let’s ensure something tangible comes out of every edition. Uasin Gishu is the breadbasket of Kenya, and any research that enhances agricultural productivity and resilience should be prioritized.” Key areas of focus for the county at ICRECC include solar energy expansion, clean cooking technologies, and climate-smart agriculture—initiatives already underway within local communities. As the conference comes to an end, Uasin Gishu continues to strengthen its reputation as a forward-thinking county committed to climate resilience, innovation, and global collaboration.
