The Mt Kenya Times 
RightCenter greeting President William Ruto Mr. Climate kenya from Bungoma Mr. Harun Waswa during the Launch of tree 15 billion tree in kaptagat that happened on world environmental day at Kamesa village in iten and Ms. Wilhelminah Juma from Trans Nzoia planting trees during Green Day respectively.
By: Sefu Sabila
Worth Noting:
- “Just like other sectors have recorded a win using technology, is the same way we could use to fight climate change in the country. Youths are the large population taking charge of tevnoifrom social media. Through that we have been able to organize events, summits and conferences to protect Mother Nature. Unfortunately we are not fully supported in and receive enough reinforcement and resources as we would wish too”. Harun said.
- Supporting his sentiments, Wilhelminah Juma climate champion in Trans Nzoia says the country is already experiencing effects of climate change,” the floods across the country already shows as a country we are experiencing effects of climate change
Climate Change is the subject of discussion currently across the world. The adverse effects of climate change including long dry months, glaciers and flooding have become a common feature in the world today.
Kenya for instance in the last two years experienced long dry months after four decades, Northern and North Eastern counties in the country were hard hit by the drought. According to a research by World Weather Attribution, human induced activities have a major contribution to the climate change in the Horn of Africa.
On January 9, 2023, Kenya established a State Department for Environment and Climate Change under the Ministry of Environment to underline the government’s commitment to protecting Kenya from the adverse effects of global warming. Among the many nations, economist urge Kenya to act faster on mitigating the adverse effects of climate change as its economy is dependant on climate change. For instance agriculture, tourism, wildlife, water and energy.
In February this year, International Rescue Committee (IRC) had projected about 5.4 million Kenyans to be affected by the drought between the months of March and June, with limited access to water and food. The scenes from Northern Kenya and Coastal areas were devastating. A features on Citizen TV by Mashirima Kapombe ‘Tears of Hunger’ showing the adverse effects of the prolonged drought aired in October last year showing children unable to concentrate over hunger in Kilifi, is among the many major effects of climate change.
However, as the country struggles to fight climate change and call for collective responsibility, youths across the country in grassroots are doing much to complement the government’s efforts. Harun Waswa Mr. Climate Kenya and a youth climate activist from Bungoma says the youths have been neglected in the fight against climate change in the country, despite them putting in efforts to in their various capacity to mitigate the effects of climate change.
“Just like other sectors have recorded a win using technology, is the same way we could use to fight climate change in the country. Youths are the large population taking charge of tevnoifrom social media. Through that we have been able to organize events, summits and conferences to protect Mother Nature. Unfortunately we are not fully supported in and receive enough reinforcement and resources as we would wish too”. Harun said.
Supporting his sentiments, Wilhelminah Juma climate champion in Trans Nzoia says the country is already experiencing effects of climate change,” the floods across the country already shows as a country we are experiencing effects of climate change. Earlier this year we had a massive drought that saw people in places like Mandera, Garissa and Turkana suffering from hunger and lack of water. Sadly, youths have only been placed as violent tools for leaders, when the efforts can be used to protect our environment and create awareness on need to include not only youths but also women in climate change action.”
On 13th November, the government set the day dubbed Green day, Environment Cabinet Secretary SoipanTuya said the day was meant for Kenyans to plant trees across the country, to complement president William Ruto’s goal of planting 15 billion trees in the next 10 years. On that day close to 100,000 million trees were planted across the country, with joint efforts from KEFRI, Kenya Forest Services and climate activists. Wilhelminah says many youths in Kitale embraced the day coming out in large numbers.
“As much as the day was hyped that youths will engage in other activities, in Kitale we came out others digging holes, distributing tree seedlings to residents and carrying out sensitization activities on need to protect our water catchment areas and forests.” She said.
Harun says, being a climate change activist has not been only in tree planting, but other activities that directly affect our environment and contributes to climate destruction.
“Being a climate champion does not only restrict itself to planting trees, but I am also involved in initiatives and activities that include safeguarding our water points , eradication of plastic and waste management, dangers of continuous forest encroachment through planting in the forests. This activities rely on Mother Nature, and some affect our environment directly and indirect affected by Climate change.” Harun further explained.
According to be the two, including youths and direct resources towards the mitigation of climate change. Wilhelminah however, says the directive by the president on lifting the ban on logging has double effects as people are still cutting down immature trees.
“For trans nzoia specifically, the main forest (Kitale Township) still experiences logging with or without the ban is lifted. I believe enforcement and working with all relevant bodies; So that when there is a gap with KFS, at least another will notice before we lose many trees.” She said.
The in September country hosted the African Climate Summit for one week, where African leaders came up with the Nairobi Declaration, which centered to push for climate action and financing mechanisms. They said Africa suffers the adverse effects of climate change yet are the least contributors to emissions of carbon. Currently, the COP28 2023 is underway in Dubai, where climate financing and reining in fossil fuels are top of the agenda for the ongoing summit.
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Brenda Holo