NAIROBI: The second day of the 2025 Climate Action Summit in Nairobi brought together leaders from Kenya’s judiciary, legislature, and civil society to discuss how governance, justice, and devolution can drive the country’s transition to a low-carbon and climate-resilient future.
The discussions highlighted the need for coordinated, well-financed, and community-driven approaches anchored on strong institutions and inclusive decision-making.
Hon. Justice Oscar Angote, Principal Judge of the Environment and Land Court, underscored the judiciary’s pivotal role in upholding climate justice and protecting 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. “Climate action must go hand in hand with human rights protection.”
Justice Angote reaffirmed the judiciary’s commitment to inclusion and accountability, ensuring climate policies and projects align with constitutional principles of social justice. He also called for greater civic education to empower citizens to defend their environmental rights.
“Judicial oversight must ensure that development never comes at the cost of ecological balance or the rights of marginalized communities,” he added.
Senator Faki Mohamed Mwinyihaji, Chair of the Senate Committee on Lands, Environment and Natural Resources, emphasized the importance of devolution in implementing effective climate solutions.
“Counties must not be passive recipients of national policy—they must be leaders and innovators in local climate solutions,” he said.
Citing community biogas projects in Nyandarua and coastal erosion challenges in Mombasa and Lamu, Senator Faki noted that climate issues cut across boundaries and require inter-county coordination.
He outlined the Senate’s priorities for devolved climate action, including stronger coordination between national and county governments, predictable and transparent financing, accountability frameworks, and community-led green energy and resilience projects that create jobs.
“Devolution is Kenya’s greatest strategic advantage in the climate era,” he said. “It allows us to respond locally, coordinate nationally, and lead globally.”
Bishop Margaret Wanjiru, Chairperson of the Nairobi Rivers Commission, highlighted community participation as the foundation for sustainable ecosystem restoration.
“At the heart of river regeneration lies community ownership. No project can endure without local participation and shared responsibility,” she said.
She explained that the Commission’s Nairobi Rivers regeneration master plan integrates community livelihoods by transforming informal economic activities in areas such as Grogan, Gikomba, and Kamukunji into organized, sustainable market spaces.
“We are not displacing communities; we are formalizing them,” Bishop Wanjiru noted. “True sustainability comes when the same people who champion regeneration efforts become beneficiaries of the development outcomes.”
Her remarks drew strong support from youth and community representatives at the summit, who echoed calls for inclusive planning and equitable benefit-sharing in environmental projects.
As Kenya prepares for COP30 in Belém, Brazil, speakers reaffirmed the nation’s commitment to climate justice, devolution-led action, and people-centered approaches.
The Climate Action Summit, jointly convened by the Nairobi Rivers Commission and the Kenya School of Government, continues Thursday with sessions focused on climate financing, innovation, and private sector partnerships.