The Global Center on Adoption (GCA) in partnership with University of Nairobi held a post 27th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP -27) Africa Climate Adoption Conference.
The aim of the conference is to deliberate issues raised during the COP-27 climate summit that was held this year and look at ways to aid in achieving the World’s collective climate change goals such as building resilience and adapting to the inevitable impacts of climate change.
Speaking during the conference, the president’s wife, Mrs. Rachel Ruto said that Kenya is experiencing the worst drought in 40 years which has affected approximately 4.3 million Kenyans especially women and children who are faced by food insecurity, lack of water and livelihood loss.
“Due to the drought, many children have now dropped out of school and I will be making a rallying call to the government to support Supplementary School feeding programmes with the aim of promoting food security and as an incentive for families to enroll and keep their children in school,” said Mrs. Ruto.
She emphasized on the President’s efforts on increasing the forest cover within the country to address the devastating effects of climate change and desertification. The efforts target to mobilize the nation to plant 15 billion trees by the year 2030 through the National Tree Restoration Campaign.
“The campaign which takes immediate effect requires that all public engagements presided over by the President, the Deputy President and all other cadres of state or public officers be marked by planting 200 to 500 trees and this initiative demonstrates government’s commitment to tackling climate change,” said the First Lady.
Ministry of Environment and Forestry Cabinet Secretary (CS) Ms. Soipan Tuya appreciated the GCA and University of Nairobi for convening such a forum at a time when Kenya is being hit hard by the ravaging impacts of climate change that has caused loss of lives, livestock and wildlife.
The CS further noted that the importance of climate change adaptation has not been acknowledged by the developed countries notwithstanding the evident devastating impacts of climate change experienced by the developing countries.
“Our exposure to these extreme and unpredictable climate events has placed us at the forefront of the climate emergency and the adaptation is crucial. Feasible solutions already exist but more financial support must be channeled to reach out to the vulnerable communities,” said Tuya.
By Irene Mwende
