Raila champions climate action, green initiatives for Africa

Candidate for chairperson of the African Union Commission, Raila Odinga has rallied to back the continent's greening.

Speaking at the State House, Nairobi on Tuesday, Raila noted that Africa hosts the world's second-largest area that absorbs carbon dioxide from the air, known as a carbon sink.

These sinks can be found in oceans, forests, soil, and rocks.

Raila, who also serves as the leader of the ODM party, stated that climate change is one of Africa's challenges.

"Unfortunately, even as we rise, our continent still grapples with emerging challenges and vulnerabilities including identity conflicts and wars, hunger, poverty, violent extremism, adverse climate change, acute unemployment among our youths, transboundary pandemics and infectious diseases such as Mpox, and other threats to human security and dignity," he said.

Raila emphasised the significance of halting desertification and keeping the Sahara Desert from growing.

He emphasised that Africa can effectively address these difficulties, particularly with a well-functioning organisation in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Raila also emphasised the importance of creating possibilities inside Africa so that young Africans do not feel driven to travel to other continents in quest of better prospects.

"We should ensure that we create a conducive environment within the continent here so these youth do not have to fee to go to Europe and this only works if Africa works together as a united continent,"  he said.

President William Ruto has been at the forefront of advocating for climate change in Kenya and throughout Africa.

In February, he asked the international community to establish a massive coalition for climate action.

The President expressed concerns over the escalating adverse impacts of climate change, which pose significant threats to humanity.

Ruto said despite increased awareness and efforts, global greenhouse gas emissions are still on the rise.

"Pollution patterns are veering in an alarming direction and biodiversity is confronted with escalating threats along with the risk of an accelerating rate of loss,"  he said.