President Ruto bemoans consecutive climate change effects ravaging Kenya

President William Ruto has warned the nation against assuming discussions centred around climate change, its effects, and projections, pointing at the current flash floods consuming lives and destroying property. 

While speaking during the National Government Constituency Development Fund 20th Anniversary Celebrations in Nairobi, Ruto stated that floods were ravaging the nation a few months after El Nino rains and one of the worst droughts in the last 40 years. 

“One challenge we have as a country is climate change. We just came out of a devastating drought, hardly a year and a half ago. We lost almost 2 million heads of livestock. We had serious challenges with our food security.

“We are now in another crisis of floods and mudslides. If anyone doubted the challenge of climate change, it is stuck here with us,” Ruto cautioned. 

The president rallied Members of Parliament to push for more resource allocations through the amendment of various laws, including the National Government Constituency Development Fund Act. 

However, he appreciated them amending the Act last year to increase allocations by constituencies towards climate action from 2 per cent to 5 per cent. 

“This is a good opportunity to express my profound appreciation to our National Assembly for decisively rallying to the cause of climate action through the NG-CDF (Amendment) Act, 2023, which amended the law to increase the ceiling of permissible allocations by constituencies towards climate action from 2% to 5%. 

An aerial view of Tana River showing extensive flooding on April 28, 2024. (Photo: Handout)

“We are confronting the ruthless impacts of climate change in the form of severe and devastating flooding in numerous parts of the country, which has followed swiftly after one of the longest and most severe droughts in recent history,” Ruto lauded the lawmakers. 

He added that his cabinet, under the guidance of the Ministry of Environment, was crafting more policies to curb climate change, including pushing for more tree-planting exercises to reduce carbon dioxide from the air, store carbon in the soil, and release oxygen into the atmosphere.

“We have concluded the plan with the Ministry of Environment. The cabinet went through it two days ago and we are ready with the plan. We expect every school that is under the patronage of our MPs to participate in growing seedlings and managing our environment,” he stated. 

The head of state further appreciated Kenyans who adhered to his directive ordering them to vacate flood-risky areas within 48 hours. 

“Sadly, we have not seen the last of this situation, as it is expected to worsen,” President Ruto warned 

“You know the dangers of where we are today. We have many citizens in precarious situations, especially in riparian reserves. I appreciate the Kenyans who are working with us and have agreed to be evacuated for their safety,” Ruto stated.  

In Kenya, bridges and roads have been destroyed, and water levels in seven folk dams have risen to a historic high level, threatening to overflow into residential areas. 

He also warned that Cyclone Hidaya is expected to hit Kenya at any time and destroy lives and property and Kenya must take action. 

On Monday, April 29, climate change activist Elizabeth Wathuti also urged the government and all stakeholders to take urgent action to address the flood crisis.

“The scenes of flooding in Kenya are heartbreaking. Climate change is not a distant threat; it's here, affecting our lives today. Lives and livelihoods are being lost each day. Urgent action is needed to address this crisis. We need to further localise climate issues and response strategies to address this crisis,” Wathuti, the Green Generation Initiative (GGI) founder urged. 

“My heart goes out to all the families who have lost their loved ones and the thousands of Kenyans who have been affected and displaced by the floods. More help is needed and there are so many ways in which you can help, including providing direct support to the flood victims and giving towards the several fundraisers set up to support the affected families,” she added.