On June 17 we observed World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought, under the theme United for land: Our legacy. Our future.
Over the past few years, we have witnessed the adverse effects of climate change ranging from prolonged droughts to heat waves, flash floods, tropical cyclones, increased temperatures, strong winds and varying weather patterns.
The 2019 national population and census results indicated that around 75 per cent of the population is under the age of 35, meaning that Kenya is a country of the youth.
An ancient proverb states that we do not inherit the Earth from our ancestors; we borrow it from our children and grandchildren. Therefore, it is incumbent upon us to ensure that we diligently and passionately protect, conserve and preserve Mother Nature.
The government has taken a firm and decisive step in ensuring that we realise the Sustainable Development Goal Number 13 on climate action, which focuses on strengthening resilience to climate-related disasters and implementing the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, among others.
In September 2023, President William Ruto launched Kenya’s National Climate Change Action Plan 2023-2027, Long-Term Low Emission Development Strategy (LT-LEDS) 2022-2050 and the Climate Change Act (Amendment 2023).
This illustrates the commitment and dedication that the government has in realising the SDGs, precisely SDG 13, Africa Agenda 2063, Kenya Vision 2030 blueprint and the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda.
To efficiently and effectively realise its agenda, the government should tap into the potential of the young people, which has not been harnessed, by engaging them in decision-making, policy formulation processes, rehabilitation, reforestation and restoration of degraded forests.
Climate change is no longer a myth, it is here with us and we need a collaborative framework that will set the stage for collective action.
Public interest litigation lawyer