As the Africa Climate Summit came to a close on Wednesday, children were also not left out in presenting their climate change declaration.
They presented their declaration to President William Ruto and Africa Union Chairperson Moussa Faki who were the hosts of the summit.
The children had their summit taking place from September 2 to 3 ahead of the Africa Climate Summit.
They made a call to action and to secure the voices of children in the climate change discourse.
"Even though children and young people are seriously threatened by the impact of climate change, they don’t have a voice in policy formulation, debates, engagement and decision-making processes," they said.
"Children and young people are not responsible for climate change yet they bear the greatest burden of its impacts."
The declaration was developed by children representatives from across the different regions and countries of the African continent.
It was done along six thematic groups; energy transition, renewable energy and green minerals and manufacturing, sustainable agriculture, land and water or ocean use.
The children want measures put in place to protect them against the adverse effects of climate change.
"Measures should be put in place like supporting communities to build gabions, plant trees as well as put in place mechanisms to punish those who violate established rules on environmental conservation," they said.
Part of the declaration also read that decision-makers should fulfil the promises they make to the electorate.
"Governments must ensure that children are meaningfully engaged at all levels of decision-making processes on climate change issues and other issues affecting them," they said.
The children said climate change has led to droughts and famine resulting in the death of animals.
For communities that depend on animals, like the Maasai of Kenya, they noted that it is a big disaster.
"With no property, parents will lack finances to pay for the school fees of their children. In most cases they will marry off their girls to replace the dead animals or to get finances to pay for school fees for their sons," they said in their declaration.
With this, they said the leaders should create awareness about the impact of climate change and ways to mitigate the adverse impact of climate change.
"Leaders should partner with civil society organizations, schools and children to sensitize communities against harmful practices emanating as consequences of climate change," they noted.
