As the three-day Africa Climate Summit culminated with the ‘Nairobi declaration’, a group of activists registered their displeasure with what they term as a missed opportunity for the African continent to forge climate policies that would address the rapidly escalating climatic disasters induced by climate change.

The activists have blamed the conveners of the summit for allowing the rich countries and corporate interests to dictate the outcome of the summit.

Dean Bhebhe, a climate activist on Wednesday said Africa had an opportunity to define what that fundamentally looks like for Africa and by Africans governed by our needs.

“Now, all they did was acknowledge we need to operationalize that fund. That was not authentic and mindful. The moment was not seized and that opportunity is lost,” said Bhebhe.

Hardy Yakubu noted that when there is an African climate summit, the expectation is that leaders would speak the African that represents our people, “not to sell out and give the summit to people who are responsible for this climate in the first place.”

“If you ask who are those people, you saw them. You saw John Kerry there, the climate envoy of the United States of America. There is no one more responsible for the climate change crisis than the United States of America,” Yakubu said.

The non-state actors say the outcome of the summit has cast serious doubts on Africa’s ability to receive any meaningful result from the 28th United Nations Conference of Parties on Climate Change (COP28) meeting later in the year.

ALSO READ: Kenya Sets Record: Ksh3.36 Trillion in Climate Funding Deals

They said the Global North continues to have an unfair advantage on African matters, and questioned the allocation of the special drawing rights, where Africa has received the lowest allocation, yet it continues to bear the brunt of the climate change crisis.

“The declaration is silent about reforming the system, the structures, that made a whole continent, 55 countries get only 33 billion dollars, yet one country whose presence was very visible in this summit, the US got 118 billion dollars’ worth of SDRs,” Joab Okanda said.

In Bhebhe’s view, Africa ‘has been sick’ for a long time as a result of climate change and the summit was an opportunity to ‘visit the doctor’ and be treated.

“When we did, no prescription was given, we only got painkillers as a temporary fix and here we are again. We missed that opportunity,” the activist said.

As curtains close on the first-ever climate summit, the focus now shifts to COP 28 in Dubai, where Kenya and Africa in general will seek to forge a collective position.

Nairobi Declaration: Non-State Actors Express Disappointment

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A committee of eight former presidents from around the globe has urged the organizers of the African Climate Summit being held at the KICC to prioritize the delivery of Ksh3 trillion ($20 billion annually) to developing countries over the worsening of the climate crisis.

In an open letter, the former Heads of State, including former Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn, argued that the funds promised to be delivered by 2025 are essential to achieving the historic goal of protecting 30 percent of the world’s land and oceans.

The leaders emphasized that the climate crisis and the biodiversity crisis are intricately intertwined and that no efforts to combat climate change will be successful if nature conservation is not given adequate attention.

“At this summit, we have heard a lot of talk and announcements on private finance and credits for climate action. While innovative finance mechanisms with integrity are welcome, they cannot be used as a proxy or substitute for developed countries to meet their promise of $ 20 billion in natural finance to developing countries by the fast-approaching deadline of 2025,” stated the former President of Colombia, Iván Duque.

Desalegn argued that global governments were spending a substantial amount of money on defense systems while the ecosystems surrounding them were swiftly deteriorating.

“$20 billion of international finance for biodiversity is less than 1% of the $2.24 trillion (Ksh327 trillion) in global defense spending, yet investment in the natural world is our best defense to prevent the collapse of our ecosystems which is key to our global economic stability and security,” he observed.

ALSO READ: African Leaders to Pocket Billions at Ruto’s Event

“The Global North must begin to value and support the Global South’s stewardship of the biological resources and ecosystem services that we all, as a global community, depend on. The Global North must move fast to devise a strategy so that this $20 billion promise is delivered by 2025.”

The letter, dated August 16, was therefore sent to all sitting chiefs of state, urging them to prioritize environmental protection to keep global warming below 2°C.

“Ambitious targets to halt and reverse nature loss will only work when complemented by sufficient financing. Given the size of the biodiversity finance gap and the concentration of biodiversity in the developing world, $20 billion per year in international finance is a notable increase, roughly double the status quo,” read the statement in part.

Ernest Bai Koroma (former President of Sierra Leone), Ellen Johnson Sirleaf (former President of Liberia), Olafur Ragnar Grmsson (former President of Iceland), Mary Robinson (former President of Ireland), and Ruhakana Rugunda (former Prime Minister of Uganda) were among the other leaders who signed the open letter.

President William Ruto convened the first African Climate Summit in Nairobi to compel the highest carbon emitters to accept responsibility and pay for their emissions.

The impact of climate change on Africa’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) was a prominent topic of discussion at the conference.

Ruto alleged that those emitting the most carbon were not paying their bills, costing the African Continent between 5% and 15% of their GDP.

“To unlock the resources that we need to drive this new investment and financial opportunities, especially for green energy, we believe it is time to have a conversation about carbon tax,” he stated.

Over ten Heads of State traveled to Kenya for the occasion.

Ex-Presidents’ Open Letter on Ruto’s KICC Event & Ksh3 Trillion

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President William Ruto on Tuesday resorted to using a Kalenjin saying in trying to explain why Africa is rooting for a new global climate financing architecture.

In his address on the second day of the Africa Climate Summit at KICC, Nairobi, Ruto said debt distress, worsened by the prevailing climate crisis, has impoverished Africa.

This poor state of affairs, he said, needs to change by having a financing model that does not sink the continent deeper into poverty, a worse-off state than debt.

“There was a phrase that ‘Kaigai kobarin besen kosir kobarin banan’,” the President said.

He said besen means debt while banana means poverty.

“So it is said in this community that if you must die, it is better to die of debt than to die of poverty because you are dying anyway,” Ruto said.

In contextualizing the phrase about the financing model, the President said Africa as a whole does not want to die of debts, but neither is it readying itself to die of poverty.

Ruto said it’s on leveraging on this unfavorable outcome that there needs to be a conversation with multilateral credit lenders on the need to remodel concessional financing to finance African economies without punishing the continent.

“And when we make this proposition, we have tremendous respect for our multilateral development banks. They are doing their best, we have the best of respect for them,” he said.

Ruto has been vocal about pushing for inequity in the international financial system, one that would see Africa pair equal interests on loans as more developed economies.

During the New Global Pact Summit in France on June 22, Ruto discouraged the control of resources by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank whose rules he said are unfavorable to Africa.

He said he was not pushing for a system that favors only Africa, but one that is fair to all countries globally. 

“We do not want anything for free, we want another organization of equals where you have as much say because you pay as much as we do because we also pay. You will pay more eventually because you have a bigger economy, we will pay commensurate to our economy,” he said. 

ALSO READ: EU Boosts Kenya with Ksh1.8 Billion Cash

On average, developing countries are paying at least five times as much as advanced economies to borrow from financial markets.

Ruto told delegates at the Africa Climate Summit that there is an opportunity for the borrowing model to be finetuned to be favorable to all.

“We need to explore the SDR – Special Drawing Rights window,” he said.

The SDR is an international reserve asset, created by the IMF in 1969, to supplement its member countries’ official reserves.

In 2021, G7 countries (and later affirmed by the G20) committed to channel US$100 billion (14.59 trillion) of their SDRs (or equivalent contributions) to countries most in need, including in Africa.

Ruto said the SDR window needs to be such that needy countries are prioritized recipients of the funding.

“Let those who need the resources get, not those who don’t. In the last experience, those who did not need the resources got more than those who needed the resources. We need to have a paradigm shift this time round,” he said.

The Africa Climate Summit will end on Wednesday, September 6. 

The Africa Climate Summit which is running parallel to the conference will, however, continue until September 8.

Over 15,000 delegates are attending the conference at the Kenyatta International Conference Centre, Nairobi.

Among them are at least 24 heads of state and government.

It’s better to die of debt than poverty – Ruto

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The European Union (EU) will invest approximately Ksh1.8 billion (12 million euros) in the renewable hydrogen industry in Kenya.

President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen announced on Tuesday during the Africa Climate Summit after unveiling the Green Hydrogen Strategy and Roadmap with President William Ruto.

According to a communiqué from the European Commission, the funds will be provided in the form of grants to attract public and private investments into the green hydrogen industry.

This substantial commitment is in addition to the Ksh532 billion already allocated by the EU to climate change and nature initiatives in Kenya.

Von der Leyen praised the green hydrogen roadmap when discussing the initiative, adding that it would increase the country’s exports.

“Kenya’s ambitious target of 100% clean energy by 2030 is an inspiration for other countries. The Roadmap on Green Hydrogen will support Kenya towards that goal. It will help cut emissions, support a strategic industry for the country’s future, and boost its export capacity towards partners like the EU,” she stated.

President Ruto emphasized that the strategy would generate numerous job opportunities for Kenyans.

“The Green Hydrogen strategy prioritizes economic expansion, generation of job opportunities, and the promotion of environmental stewardship and charts a course for Kenya to harness the potential of green hydrogen as a key driver of energy transition,” he remarked.

ALSO READ: US Launches Ksh452B Fund at KICC Africa Climate Summit Gathering

“Green hydrogen economy will enhance food security including expansion of green production of Kenyan tea, coffee, horticulture, floriculture, and grains. It will also facilitate decarbonization of our industries and indeed the economy,” the head of state added.

The green hydrogen strategy aims to produce hydrogen from electricity derived from renewable sources, resulting in carbon-free energy production.

This strategy will permit the production of hydrogen locally, reducing the need to import critical commodities such as nitrogen fertilizers and methanol.

It is anticipated that locally produced nitrogen fertilizers will enhance food security by making them readily available to producers.

In addition, the strategy has the potential to act as a catalyst for industrialization by establishing value chains dedicated to the production of green hydrogen and its derivatives, thereby creating employment opportunities throughout the entire green hydrogen value chain.

In addition, the strategy and road map are intended to attract both public and private investments in Kenya, an aim that will be supported by EU grants, thereby facilitating Kenya’s journey toward a sustainable and green energy future.

EU Boosts Kenya with Ksh1.8 Billion Cash

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John Kerry, the Special Presidential Envoy for Climate of the United States, announced Tuesday funding of Ksh452 billion for climate-related programs in developing countries.

Kerry spoke at the inaugural Africa Climate Summit sponsored at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) by President William Ruto.

He emphasized that US Vice President Joe Biden was committed to confronting the effects of climate change on the majority of African nations.

The diplomat acknowledged that developed nations were responsible for the effects of climate change, thus highlighting the need to protect developing nations such as Kenya.

Kerry disclosed that, as part of the program, the US government would provide Ksh437 billion (USD 3 billion) annually to assist developing nations in addressing the effects of climate change.

“The President has now launched the President Emergency Programme for Adaptation, and we are prepared to help at least 500 million people in developing countries, especially in Africa, to be able to adapt to the worst impacts of these countries.

Alternatively, he indicated that the Biden administration would provide Ksh4.3 billion ($20 million) for food security programs.

The funds also target enterprises addressing climate change issues on the continent via agricultural programs.

ALSO READ: Ruto’s 7.2 Billion Ksh Surprise for Waiguru

“Another second 10 million dollars (Ksh14 billion) will go to the climate resilient adaptation finance and technology transfer facility to scale technology so that we can advance technology such as cold chain storage which will maintain the quality and safety of food from farms to homes,” he stated.

The diplomat lauded Ruto’s audacious initiative in championing countermeasures to combat climate change and in hosting the international conference that seeks to propose solutions to climate change.

“As I listened something was happening. This is different. Your leadership is palpable. What you said today sets a clear path for all of us,” he stated.

Africa has an extraordinary opportunity to abandon the unsustainable path of the past and build a new path that aligns economic inclusion and shared prosperity with the Paris Agreement, an international treaty on climate change adopted in 2015.

“Our low greenhouse gas emission must not relegate us to the fringes of the global climate agenda. Africa must step forward as the cornerstone around which compelling climate solutions are built,” he highlighted on September 5.

Over 12 presidents and 30,000 international delegates are attending the KICC event, scheduled to end on Wednesday, August 6.

US Launches Ksh452B Fund at KICC Africa Climate Summit Gathering

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Tuesday, the Ministry of the Interior, under the direction of Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki, revised security protocols in response to the increased security requirements for the Africa Climate Summit being held at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC).

The statement, signed by PS Raymond Omollo, contains modifications to the access routes to the Summit site and the roadways designated for use by delegates.

As part of the modifications, only presidential motorcades will use the City Hall Way entrance to enter the venue.

Cabinet Secretaries (both domestic and foreign), Principal Secretaries, and diplomats will enter via the Harambee Avenue entrance.

Other delegates will enter KICC via the Parliament Road entrance.

To assist the delegates, traffic marshals and security personnel will be stationed at critical entrances.

The Ministry explained that the modifications were made in response to a security assessment conducted by multiple agencies and the Summit’s organizers, who will be joined by over 20 presidents.

ALSO READ: Raila joins Ruto, Gachagua at Africa Climate Summit

“Access to Tsavo, Aberdares, and Lenana ballrooms will only be granted to the delegates accredited to enter the first ballroom (Tsavo).

“The changes take effect immediately, and the delegates and their entourage are advised to take note and faithfully adhere to the new protocols to avoid unnecessary delays, inconveniences, and jam-ups at the entrances,” read the statement in part.
vised to take note and abide by the new protocols to avoid unnecessary delays, inconveniences, and bottlenecks at the entrances,” the statement stated in part.

The Africa Climate Summit kicked off on September 3 and will conclude on September 6.

It is anticipated that the meeting will address Africa’s heightened vulnerability to climate change and generate a plethora of solutions to these challenges.

Over 14 presidents, including Evariste Ndayishimiye (Burundi), Brahim Ghali (Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic), Nana Akufo-Addo (Ghana), Macky Sall (Senegal), Samia Suluhu (Tanzania), and Salva Kiir (South Sudan), are in attendance at the summit.

Kindiki Shifts KICC Event Protocols

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Sen. Ledama Ole Kina of Narok lashed out at the administrators of the Africa Climate Change Summit after a helicopter flew over the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC), contradicting the event’s theme.

In a video obtained by PoliticalPulseChat, a helicopter can be seen hovering above the KICC, prompting criticism from Kenyans, political leaders, and some event delegates.

In a statement, Senator Ledama Olekina of Narok reprimanded the summit’s administrators for failing to ensure that all summit-related activities aligned with the summit’s primary objective, which is to ensure that countries protect the environment.

“Hypocrisy of the highest order! We are here talking about climate change and up above the main hall a helicopter, which is responsible for a significant part of the carbon footprint in the world is hovering over.” stated the Narok lawmaker.

Helicopters and other fuel-powered apparatus are recognized as major carbon emitters in contemporary society.

However, some online users commenting on the issue noted that the helicopter could have been used for medical or security emergencies, given the large number of VIPs in attendance.

However, at the time this article was published, the event organizers had yet to disclose the true reason for the helicopter hovering over the establishment.

ALSO READ: Global Rally Against Ruto’s Event in Kenya

Earlier in the day, Ledama had mocked the same event, arguing that the event organizers should have chosen a desert as the venue to match the motif of the event.

“A Real climate change conference should be held in a DESERT like Burning Man then these talks can stop being talks about nothing!”

Burning Man Project is a well-known American corporation that organizes events in deserts and other unconventional locations across the country.

On Monday, the Africa Climate Summit officially began with over ten heads of state, VIPs, and tens of delegates in attendance.

President William Ruto inaugurated the conference with the theme “Driving Green Growth and Climate Finance Solutions for Africa and the World.”

Africa, home to billions of people, has been severely impacted by climate change, which has had negative effects on the continent.

The primary purpose of the summit is to establish a declaration centered on Green Growth and Climate Finance Solutions, as well as to launch a Call to Action for African Union Member States and their supporting partners.

Backlash After Helicopter Spotted Above KICC During Africa Climate Summit

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Mumias East Member of Parliament Peter Salasya is openly discussing climate change, or rather what he thinks it means.

On the sidelines of the Africa Climate Summit that kicked off at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre in Nairobi on Monday, Salasya gave a quick interview to YouTube channel SPM Buzz, in which he was asked to briefly explain what the convention is all about.

After several uuuhs and uuums, he begins; “As we are all aware, it’s that, it’s climate change because you find that, by the way, climate change is real because of the global warming.”

The legislator decides to give it another take, this time with an anecdote of a recent experience he says he had in Mombasa.

“I was in Mombasa last week, and it was so cold. I asked them, what is happening? They told me the sun has become too much and the ice is melting, and so when it melts, that thing becomes cold,” he said.

“Global climate is real and whatever people are going to be told here, if they are going to implement, well, for the sake of the country.”

A man standing beside Salasya, who seems to be one of his aides, begins suppressing laughter. The interview goes on nonetheless and the MP is asked how he is championing climate action.

“We are representative of the rural constituencies who mostly use firewood (for cooking) and now we are advocating for the use of Koko Jiko and those other types of gas, but the people don’t have money. We are hoping the government will come up with measures, like the reduction of cooking gas prices,” he says, at what point the man beside him trails away laughing quietly.

Salasya is then asked whether he has a plan he could propose to help African governments combat climate change.

“We have a plan we are going to submit and see how they can be funded and implemented,” the legislator says, adding that he is also looking for an electric car similar to what the president has been riding to the summit.

The inaugural Africa Climate Summit goes on until Wednesday under the theme “Driving Green Growth and Climate Finance Solutions for Africa and the World.”

The convention was organized by the African Union Commission in collaboration with Kenya and is set to give African nations the chance to develop specific plans, design corresponding resources and investments, push for changes in the global financial system, share knowledge and workable solutions, and update Africa’s development and climate vision.

What is climate change?

The United Nations describes climate change as long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns due to either natural causes, such as changes in the sun’s activity and large volcanic eruptions, or human activities.

Human activities have however been the main driver of climate change since the 1800s, primarily due to the burning of fossil fuels like coal, oil, and gas, the UN says.

Burning fossil fuels generates greenhouse gas emissions that act like a blanket wrapped around the Earth, trapping the sun’s heat and raising temperatures.

The main greenhouse gases that are causing climate change include carbon dioxide and methane, which come from gasoline-powered vehicles or the use of coal for example.

Additionally, clearing land and cutting down forests can also release carbon dioxide.

On the other hand, agriculture, oil, and gas operations are major sources of methane emissions, with energy, industry, transport, buildings, agriculture, and land use among the main sectors causing greenhouse gases.

MP Salasya Talking About Climate Change Will Make Your Head Hurt

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Former United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has come face to face with the deplorable conditions of those living in Kenyan slums.

Ki-moon toured Mukuru kwa Reuben on Monday morning.

At Mukuru, Ki-moon saw a heavily polluted river snaking its way through the slum.

He was also taken through black soldier fly farming by the youth from the community.

“Climate issue cannot be handled by only one country or one organization including the UN,” Ki-moon said.

“All should put their hands on the deck together that is why all African leaders are coming to Nairobi to make sure that necessary actions are being made to help people in this climate crisis.”

Ki-moon said there is a need to address the climate crisis saying there is no time to lose.

“We have only one planet Earth; we do not have planet B or any other option. Without addressing African challenges, we will never be able to declare that we are living in a peaceful and sustainable world,” Ki-moon said.

Ki-moon was the eighth UN Secretary-General.

His priorities have been to mobilize world leaders around a set of new global challenges, from climate change and economic upheaval to pandemics and increasing pressures involving food, energy, and water.

He has sought to be a bridge-builder, to give voice to the world’s poorest and most vulnerable people, and to strengthen the organization itself.

Ban held office from 1 January 2007 to 31 December 2016.

On 21 June 2011, he was unanimously re-elected by the General Assembly for a second mandate.

One of the Secretary-General’s first major initiatives was the 2007 Climate Change Summit, followed by extensive diplomatic efforts that have helped put the issue at the forefront of the global agenda.

ALSO READ: Global Rally Against Ruto’s Event in Kenya

The French Minister of Environment, Energy and Sea as well as the Denmark Minister were present.

Ki-moon who is also the chairman of the Global Centre on Adaptation chairman said there is a need to have resources for adaptation increased 10 times if the climate crisis is to be addressed.

“Currently, we are talking about $53 billion a year, should be more than $160 billion but there should be more and more,” Ki-moon said.

Ki-moon promised to help mobilize more resources to help address some of the challenges in the informal settlements.

Global Centre on Adaptation CEO Patrick Verkooijen said the Mukuru people have a plan on how to address some of the challenges.

“We are all living in the eye of climate emergency but Africa is ground zero. What we have heard from the people of Mukuru is very simple reality, adapt or die,” Verkooijen said.

“The financial flows from the international community to Africa are 11 billion dollars a year. All African nations have articulated their needs. 106 billion dollars is needed every year.”

He said there is a need to reform international finance architecture.

“The World Bank, IMF, and international finance institutions need to provide more targeted finance which has to come to local communities.”

“People of Mukuru and other communities cannot survive without finance let alone thrive.”

Ban Ki-moon tours Mukuru slums, says climate crisis is a global duty

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Monday at the Green Park Bus Terminus, a group of activists demonstrated against the ongoing African Climate Summit 2023 being held at the Kenya International Convention Centre (KICC).

The activists marched from Nyayo Stadium to the terminus while carrying signs reading “Less Talk, More Action.”

In addition, the activists voiced their displeasure at the exclusion of African participants from the summit convened by President William Ruto and attended by over ten heads of state, VIPs, and delegates representing governments and environmental institutions.

The activists expressed their displeasure, emphasizing the failure of the organizers to address the significant challenges posed by climate change.

Later that day, they plan to march to KICC and submit a petition.
One member emphasized that climate change is a result of societal institutions, including those led by political leaders.

“This (climate change crisis) can not be solved through technology changes alone but requires fundamental system change to our societies,” the activist added.

ALSO READ: Highlights from day one of the Africa Climate Summit

In addition, the civil rights organizations urged first-world countries to accept their role as the primary contributors to climate change.

“Rich nations should reduce their emissions to zero but must also provide poorer nations with the funds to deal with the crisis,” the activists added.

A Nigerian activist demanded the immediate cessation of fossil fuel extraction and the expansion of oil refineries worldwide.

On Monday, September 4, President William Ruto inaugurated the summit and extended a warm invitation to all participants to collaborate in confronting the challenges posed by climate change.

He emphasized that the summit’s primary objective is to scrutinize ideas, evaluate diverse perspectives, and identify viable solutions.

“Over the next three days, be ready to be challenged in this dynamic ecosystem of dialogue and discovery. African and global leaders, innovation trailblazers, experts, investors, and captains of industry are here to explore the opportunities, tackle the barriers, and scale up solutions,” Ruto stated.

Global Rally Against Ruto’s Event in Kenya

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