Nairobi, Kenya – July 2025
Strengthening Partnership for Climate Resilience : A focus on East Africa – DRESSEA Project, OSS Executive Secretary Meets Kenya’s Environment Principal Secretary
The OSS reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Kenya’s climate resilience efforts through the DRESSEA Project during a high-level meeting held this week between the OSS Executive Secretary, Mr. Nabil Ben Khatra, and the Principal Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Forestry, Dr. Eng. Festus K. Ng’eno.
The meeting, held at the Ministry’s headquarters in Nairobi, focused on strengthening the strategic partnership between OSS and the Government of Kenya and accelerating the implementation of the Strengthening Drought Resilience for Small Holder Farmers and Pastoralists in the IGAD Region (Djibouti, Kenya, Sudan, Uganda) - DRESSEA Project. Both parties emphasized the critical role the project plays in enhancing early warning systems, promoting climate-smart agriculture, and building the adaptive capacity of vulnerable communities in arid and semi-arid regions.
During the discussions, Dr. Ng’eno reiterated Kenya’s strong commitment to climate action and highlighted the importance of fast-tracking key DRESSEA activities aligned with national priorities. He welcomed the continued technical and financial support from OSS and the Adaptation Fund, noting that timely execution of interventions such as the development of water infrastructure, agro-ecological practices, and integrated knowledge systems is vital for building long-term resilience in counties like Samburu and Kitui.
Mr. Ben Khatra expressed appreciation for the Government of Kenya’s leadership and dedication to the project, acknowledging the progress already made on the ground. He underscored OSS’s readiness to mobilize technical expertise, coordinate with implementing partners, and ensure that activities are executed efficiently and inclusively. “Our collaboration with Kenya is a cornerstone of the DRESSEA Project’s regional success. We are committed to supporting the acceleration of impactful, community-led solutions to address climate variability,” he stated.
The meeting concluded with a shared goal to intensify coordination between national stakeholders, local implementation units, and OSS technical teams. Both sides also committed to regular joint reviews and field visits to monitor progress and ensure alignment with project goals.
Funded by the Adaptation Fund and implemented by OSS in collaboration with national partners, the DRESSEA Project supports eight countries in Eastern and Southern Africa to enhance climate resilience through targeted adaptation measures, knowledge exchange, and policy integration.