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KEY LEADERS CALL FOR STRONGER DEVOLUTION, JUDICIAL ACCOUNTABILITY, AND COMMUNITY OWNERSHIP IN CLIMATE ACTION

Day Two of the Climate Action Summit Underscores Governance, Justice, and Local Empowerment as Cornerstones of Kenya’s Climate Resilience

Nairobi, Kenya – Wednesday, October 30, 2025: Day Two of the 2025 Climate Action Summit convened in Nairobi brought together leaders from across the judiciary, legislature, and civil society to deliberate on the governance and justice dimensions of Kenya’s climate transition. The discussions underscored the need for coordinated, well-financed, and inclusive action—anchored on strong institutions, community ownership, and devolution-driven innovation.

Hon. Justice Oscar Angote, Principal Judge of the Environment and Land Court, emphasized the judiciary’s critical role in advancing climate justice and safeguarding the constitutional right to a clean and healthy environment.

“The courts have a duty not only to protect the right to a clean and habitable environment, but also to uphold the dignity and livelihoods of communities affected by climate change,” said Justice Angote. “Even as we navigate the transition toward a low-carbon and climate-resilient future, we must not lose sight of our constitutional duty to protect the rights of the vulnerable and indigenous populations. Climate action must go hand in hand with human rights protection.”

He noted that the judiciary will continue to uphold principles of inclusion and accountability, ensuring that climate-related projects and policies adhere to the Constitution’s vision of social justice.

“Our pursuit of climate resilience and adaptation must observe key environmental principles, including the preservation of green spaces and the protection of riparian lands. These are not mere aesthetic concerns; they are lifelines for biodiversity, livelihoods, and human well-being,” he added.

Justice Angote called for enhanced civic education to empower citizens to claim and defend their environmental rights, and reaffirmed the judiciary’s commitment to hold all actors—state, corporate, and individual—accountable for environmental harm.

“Judicial oversight must ensure that development never comes at the cost of ecological balance or the rights of marginalized communities,” he said.

Senator Faki Mohamed Mwinyihaji, Chair of the Senate Committee on Lands, Environment and Natural Resources, underscored the centrality of devolution in driving Kenya’s climate agenda.

“Counties must not be passive recipients of national policy—they must be leaders and innovators in local climate solutions,” he said.

Highlighting examples from across the country, including community biogas initiatives in Nyandarua and the challenges of coastal erosion in Mombasa and Lamu, Senator Faki noted that climate challenges do not respect boundaries—demanding inter-county coordination and shared governance mechanisms.

He outlined the Senate’s priorities for devolved climate action, including: Strengthened coordination across national and county levels of government, Predictable and transparent climate financing to empower counties, Accountability frameworks to ensure resources reach communities and Community-led green energy and resilience zones that generate jobs and support livelihoods. 

“Devolution is Kenya’s greatest strategic advantage in the climate era,” Senator Faki added. “It allows us to respond locally, coordinate nationally, and lead globally. Our devolved system should stand as a model of inclusive, accountable, and locally driven climate governance.”

Bishop Margaret Wanjiru, Chairperson of the Nairobi Rivers Commission, emphasized community participation as the foundation of sustainable river and ecosystem restoration.

“At the heart of river regeneration lies community ownership. No project can endure without local participation and shared responsibility,” she stated.

She highlighted the Commission’s approach of integrating community livelihoods into the Nairobi Rivers regeneration master plan of transforming informal economic activities along riparian areas such as Grogan, Gikomba and Kamukunji into organized, sustainable market spaces.

“We are not displacing communities; we are formalizing them,” Bishop Wanjiru said. “True sustainability comes when the same people who champion regeneration efforts become beneficiaries of the development outcomes.”

Her remarks resonated deeply with youth and community representatives at the Summit, as she urged inclusive planning to ensure those who contribute to restoration efforts also share in the long-term social and economic gains.

As Kenya prepares to participate in COP30 in Belém, Brazil, speakers reaffirmed the country’s commitment to climate justice, multi-level coordination, and people-centered action.

The Climate Action Summit, jointly convened by the Nairobi Rivers Commission and the Kenya School of Government, continues tomorrow with sessions focused on climate financing, innovation, and private sector partnerships.