https://big3africa.org/activity/ Activity feed for the entire site. Thu, 02 Apr 2026 13:38:20 +0300 https://buddypress.org/?v= en-US 30 hourly 2 c6685697d9146286e55a89d4428d971b https://big3africa.org/?p=5389 Thu, 02 Apr 2026 13:38:20 +0300 Makueni County Signs MoU to Advance Clean Cooking in Public Institutions Global energy nonprofit organization CLASP has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Makueni County Government to accelerate the adoption of clean cooking solutions in public institutions.  The agreement, signed during the Kenyan International Investment Conference in Nairobi, will directly benefit more than 4,500 people across 63 vocational training centers in the county. The partnership coincides with the launch of Kenya’s first Institutional Clean Cooking Sector Pack, which highlights a Sh72 billion ($559 million) investment opportunity to transition over 100,000 institutions, serving 12.6 million people, to modern, clean cooking solutions. Over the next five years, CLASP and Makueni County will collaborate with a growing network of Kenya-based clean-cooking suppliers to identify and prioritise institutions and communities for clean-energy transitions. Speaking during the event, Nyamolo Abagi, Director of Clean Energy Access at CLASP and Programme Lead for the Modern Energy Cooking Services, emphasised the human impact of the initiative: “This partnership is about restoring dignity to cooks working in institutional kitchens, who face daily exposure to heat stress and harmful indoor air pollution. Through MECS, we have spent years building the evidence and market systems needed to make clean cooking an accessible and affordable reality.” Global energy nonprofit organization CLASP has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Makueni County Government | Courtesy While global efforts have largely focused on household cooking, institutional kitchens remain underserved. Estimates suggest that across sub-Saharan Africa, over 600,000 schools and nearly 100,000 healthcare facilities rely on firewood and charcoal. Pilot projects in vocational training centers will leverage innovations from local companies such as Ecobora and Feion Green Venture to scale affordable, high-quality clean cooking technologies. Speaking at the event, Makueni County Governor, Mutula Kilonzo Junior, highlighted the county’s commitment: “Makueni is open for investment, and clean cooking represents one of the most compelling opportunities available. We have already invested Sh157 million in solar energy, launched our County Energy Plan (2023–2032), and piloted clean cooking initiatives. This partnership with CLASP and MECS is about scaling impact, reducing fuel costs, and creating jobs for our youth in the clean energy sector.” Despite Kenya’s significant progress in expanding electricity access, clean cooking remains a major challenge. Many households and institutions still rely on traditional fuels that drive deforestation, increase indoor air pollution, and lead to inefficient spending on energy. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), around 2.3 billion people globally still lack access to clean cooking, with the majority in sub-Saharan Africa relying on biomass fuels such as firewood and charcoal. The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that household air pollution from these fuels contributes to approximately 3.2 million premature deaths each year, while the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) links unsustainable fuelwood harvesting to forest degradation and deforestation across many regions. The partnership aligns with Kenya’s National Cooking Transition Strategy (2024–2028), which targets universal acContinue Reading

]]> e707d47166c899c515750af6a6673a29 https://big3africa.org/?p=5384 Thu, 02 Apr 2026 13:11:01 +0300 Kenya Off Track on Clean Cooking Goal as 37 Million Rely on Polluting Fuels Kenya is off track to achieve universal access to clean cooking by 2030, with millions of households still dependent on polluting fuels, a new report by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) shows. The report, Tracking Clean Cooking in 100 Countries (2026), finds that only about 30–32 percent of Kenya’s population currently has access to clean cooking solutions, leaving nearly 70 percent, or roughly 37 million people, reliant on firewood, charcoal and other traditional fuels. While Kenya has recorded gradual gains in recent years, the pace of progress remains insufficient to meet the 2030 target, the report indicates. Despite ambitious government targets and a flurry of international initiatives, projections indicate Kenya will achieve only 57 percent clean cooking access by the end of the decade, far short of the Sustainable Development Goal 7 target of universal coverage. The shortfall carries an estimated annual economic cost of $39 billion (KES 5 trillion), encompassing healthcare expenses, lost productivity, and environmental degradation. According to the report, continued reliance on wood, charcoal, and dung for cooking exacts a devastating toll across the country. Indoor air pollution from inefficient combustion of solid fuels contributes to nearly 700,000 premature deaths annually across Africa, with women and young children bearing the disproportionate burden of respiratory illnesses. The time-consuming task of fuel collection, primarily undertaken by women and girls, perpetuates cycles of poverty and educational disadvantage, reducing school attendance and reinforcing time poverty. In rural areas, where biomass reliance is at 90 percent, the daily chore of gathering firewood consumes hours that could otherwise be spent on income generation or education. Environmental consequences are equally severe. Burning solid fuels releases carbon dioxide, methane, and black carbon, a pollutant accounting for 10-15 percent of global warming that accelerates glacial melting and disrupts weather patterns. Cooking-related greenhouse gas emissions represent approximately 2 percent of global CO2 output. The report highlights a stark urban–rural divide underpinning the country’s clean cooking challenge. Access in urban areas has risen to over 60 percent, driven largely by the expansion of LPG and alternative fuels. In contrast, rural access remains critically low at just over 11 percent, with most households continuing to depend on biomass. A woman in Kenya rural area still using firewood as fuel as Kenya looks at transitioning to clean energy. | Courtesy IRENA describes this pattern as a “two-speed transition,” where urban populations benefit from expanding energy markets while rural communities are left behind. Recent events have exposed the fragility of Kenya’s clean cooking transition. In January 2026, Koko Networks, a bioethanol fuel distributor serving over 1.5 million Kenyan homes, abruptly shut down its operations after failing to secure government authorization for carbon credit sales and import permits. The closure left more than 3,000 supply points idle and forced low-income households to choose between returning to smoky charcoal or purchasing more expensive LPG . “The clean cooking situation in Kenya, and across Africa, is a serious crisis,” said Amos Wemanya, a senior analyst at Power Shift Africa. “This is not just about emissions or climate targets. It is about development, health, dignity and household survival”. The challenges facing Kenya reflect a broader continental emergency. Across sub-Saharan Africa, nearly 900 million people lack access to clean cooking solutions, and population growth continues to outpace gains in access, widening the deficit by an estimated 14 million people annually. Globally, 2.1 billion people remain dependent on polluting cooking fuels. IRENA has identified clean cooking as a defining challenge for Africa’s prosperity, estimating that closing the global access gap requires more than $2 billion annually. However, current financing flows remain dramatically insufficient, with a significant gap between available funds and the capacity of target recipients to absorb them due to a lack of bankable projects, high interest rates, and stringent requirements. In response to the widening gap, a coalition of international organizations launched the Clean Cooking Accelerator Initiative at the IEA’s 2026 Ministerial in Paris. The partnership, involving The Rockefeller Foundation, Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet, Clean Cooking Alliance, and Energy Corps aims to strengthen supply chains, invest in infrastructure, and develop bankable project pipelines across approximately half a dozen African countries. The initiative will deploy Clean Cooking Fellows to build institutional capacity and will align with Mission 300, a World Bank and African Development Bank-led effort to provide 300 million Africans with electricity by 2030. A second Summit on Clean Cooking in Africa is scheduled for July 9-10, 2026, in Nairobi, co-chaired by Kenya, Norway, the United States, and the IEA. However, experts caution that without fundamental shifts in financing mechanisms and policy frameworks, these efforts may prove insufficient. IRENA’s analysis emphasizes that scaling up clean cooking solutions requires annual investment of approximately $8 billion by 2030, alongside strategies to modernize transitional fuels like charcoal rather than ignoring them entirely. “Sustainable energy solutions are not just about protecting the environment; they are about improving lives and securing our future,” said Lorraine Kirigia of Lowaki Eco-Solutions Limited, a KenyanContinue Reading

]]> 9938ccd419eb0fbc5cae82e48fca2543 https://big3africa.org/?p=5379 Mon, 30 Mar 2026 11:54:29 +0300 Nairobi Chosen to Host Green Climate Fund Africa Office as Financing Tops $20B Kenya has secured a major diplomatic and economic win after the Green Climate Fund (GCF) selected Nairobi as the host city for its Eastern and Southern Africa regional office. The move positions the country at the centre of a rapidly expanding global climate finance architecture now exceeding $20 billion. The decision was announced at the Fund’s 44th Board meeting in Songdo, South Korea, where members also approved $960.3 million in new climate financing for developing countries, pushing the GCF’s total portfolio beyond $20 billion across 354 projects worldwide. The establishment of the Nairobi office marks the first time the GCF will maintain a physical presence closer to developing countries, a move aimed at accelerating the delivery of climate finance and strengthening coordination with national governments and implementing partners. Kenyan officials say the office will serve as a regional hub for climate finance access, project development, and technical support, effectively placing Nairobi at the heart of funding flows into some of the world’s most climate-vulnerable economies. Nairobi City, Kenya | Courtesy “The Nairobi regional hub will expand access to climate finance, strengthen partnerships across the continent and enhance the delivery of climate programmes, further positioning Kenya at the forefront of global climate action,” Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi said. The selection followed a highly competitive global process that attracted bids from 47 developing countries, including 17 from Africa. Analysts say by hosting the regional office, Kenya stands to gain in several key areas including direct access to funding pipelines as it shortens approval timelines for Kenyan and regional projects, improving access to grants, concessional financing, and blended finance instruments. It is also expected to increase investment inflows as it will attract financiers, development partners, and project developers into Kenya’s climate ecosystem. Hosting the office also strengthens Kenya’s voice in shaping how climate finance is structured, prioritised, and deployed across Africa, particularly in adaptation, renewable energy, and resilience-building initiatives. The office is further expected to catalyse demand for local expertise in climate finance, policy, monitoring, and project implementation. The Nairobi announcement comes amid a notable shift in global climate finance flows toward Africa. At the same Board meeting, 46 per cent of newly approved funding, amounting to approximately $441 million, was directed to African projects. Among the flagship approvals is a $250 million programme with the World Bank to expand climate-resilient energy access across 21 countries in Eastern and Southern Africa. The GCF, established under the UN climate framework, is the world’s largest dedicated climate fund for developing countries, financing mitigation and adaptation projects ranging from renewable energy and resilient agriculture to urban infrastructure and ecosystem restoration. GCF leadership said the creation of regional offices, including Nairobi and Abidjan is intended to address longstanding criticisms that global climate finance has been slow, centralised, and difficult for developing countries to access. By decentralising operations, the Fund aims to improve project preparation, align funding with country priorities, and strengthen moniContinue Reading

]]> 841216fc6f19b6ebabe7e1d82851215f https://big3africa.org/?p=5373 Mon, 30 Mar 2026 09:37:47 +0300 Kenya Climate Report Warns of Rising Food, Health and Economic Risks Kenya is entering a more unstable and unpredictable climate era as rising temperatures, erratic rainfall and intensifying extreme weather steadily reshape livelihoods, strain public health systems and undermine economic stability, a new report by the Kenya Meteorological Department (KMD) warns. The State of the Climate in Kenya 2025 report presents an assessment of a country already living through the impacts of climate change. It shows that the foundations of Kenya’s economy – agriculture, water resources, health and infrastructure – are increasingly getting exposed to climate shocks that are becoming both more frequent and more severe. According to the report, Kenya is getting hotter with average temperatures rising by about 0.88°C since 1960, with the pace of warming accelerating in recent decades. In 2025, temperatures remained above the long-term average across most parts of the country, with central, northern and eastern regions experiencing particularly strong warming. This warming is manifesting in more intense heat conditions, increasing water demand and placing growing stress on crops and livestock. Globally, the past decade, 2015 to 2025, was warmest on record, with 2025 temperatures reaching 1.42°C above pre-industrial levels. The report further shows that rainfall is becoming increasingly unreliable, stating that in 2025, rainfall was poorly distributed both in time and space, with some regions experiencing heavy downpours while others endured prolonged dry spells. Western and central highlands received near to above-average rainfall, but much of the country, especially arid, semi-arid regions and the coast, recorded below-average precipitation. “Even where rains occurred, they were often mistimed, arriving too early, too late, or in short, intense bursts that offered little benefit to farmers,” the report shows. This growing variability is making it increasingly difficult to plan agricultural activities, manage water resources or anticipate risks, leaving communities more exposed to shocks. The report documents that 2025 was marked by unusual weather events including heatwaves, floods, strong winds and localized cold spells, each bringing its own set of disruptions. In early 2025, temperatures soared above 41°C in parts of Wajir, while Nyahururu experienced unusually low temperatures dropping to around 4°C. Heavy rainfall events triggered floods that displaced households and caused fatalities in counties such as Kilifi and Makueni, while strong winds damaged homes and infrastructure and high waves capsized boats along the coast. At the same time, drought conditions deepened across northern Kenya, pushing several counties into alert and alarm phases as water and pasture became scarce. Nowhere are these impacts felt more acutely than in agriculture. Although national maize production reached about 4 million tonnes, slightly above the five-year average, the gains were uneven and masked severe losses in marginal areas. In arid and semi-arid regions, crop yields fell significantly below long-term averages, with some areas experiencing complete crop failure, particularly during the short rains season. Household food stocks declined sharply, lasting just one to three months in some regions instead of the usual four to five, forcing families to rely more heavily on markets at a time of rising prices. By mid-2025, about 1.8 million people were facing high levels of acute food insecurity. Livestock systems also came under pressure as drought reduced pasture availability, increased trekking distances and triggered disease outbreaks, weakening animals and reducing productivity. The health sector is also feeling the strain of a changing climate. Flooding during the long rains season contributed to cholera outbreaks, with hundreds of suspected cases and multiple deaths reported. Meanwhile, prolonged heat and dry conditions in northern Kenya fueled outbreaks of visceral leishmaniasis, a potentially fatal disease transmitted by sandflies. These health risks, the report states, are compounded by displacement, poor sanitation and limited access to clean water, all of which tend to worsen during climate extremes. Beyond weather events, the report highlights deteriorating air quality. In Nairobi, monitoring shows that while pollution levels remain within national limits, all measured sites exceed World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines. The highest pollution levels were recorded in densely populated areas of Dandora and Kariobangi, driven by traffic emissions, waste burning, industrial activity and household fuel use. This exposes urban residents to increased risks of respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, linking climate and public health challenges in new and complex ways. Meanwhile, the country’s coastal and marine systems are also changing. Sea surface temperatures in the Western Indian Ocean remained above average throughout much of 2025, reflecting a broader warming trend. These conditions are influencing weather patterns and marine ecosystems while raising concerns about sea-level rise and coastal flooding. Elevated tidal levels and stronger wave activity pose risks to infrastructure, fisheries and communities along the coast. Underlying many of these changes are large-scale climate drivers. The report identifies a strong negative Indian Ocean Dipole as a key factor behind the poor performance of the short rains.  Weak La Niña conditions and intra-seasonal systems such as the Madden-Julian Oscillation further contributed to rainfall variability and extreme events. Taken together, these interacting forces are producing a climate that is not only warmer but far less predictable. The report concludes that climate change is a present and escalating crisis, calling for greater investment in early warning systems, climate-resilient agriculture, ecosystem protection and improved access to climate finance to strengthen the country’s ability to copeContinue Reading

]]> 185e541eb5b3260db77cd0d870f7798f https://big3africa.org/?p=5367 Mon, 30 Mar 2026 07:03:12 +0300 Nairobi’s Vanishing Forests Spark Battle for the City’s Last Wild Spaces A fresh conservation battle is unfolding in Nairobi National Park after reports of large-scale forest clearing linked to a parking complex of Bomas International Convention Centre. At the centre of the storm are reports of ongoing clearing of nearly 100 acres of upland forest, allegedly to pave the way for the relocation of the Nairobi Animal Orphanage and the construction of a 1,300-vehicle parking facility linked to the Bomas project. The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) has defended the project, framing it as a necessary modernization effort. In its statements, the agency maintains that the relocation of the animal orphanage is intended to improve animal welfare standards and decongest its current site, while associated infrastructure will support tourism and national development goals. But critics argue the explanation sidesteps a more troubling reality as the contested area falls within a designated Low Use Zone under the park’s management plan. This land is meant to remain largely undisturbed as it is particularly sensitive, as it provides refuge for species including rhinos, Maasai giraffes, and predators that rely on relatively undisturbed terrain. Fragmenting this space with roads and parking infrastructure could alter movement patterns and increase human-wildlife conflict. Environmentalists say any encroachment here sets a dangerous precedent, effectively redrawing the boundaries of what “protected” means. “This is not just about an orphanage or a parking lot,” Friends of Nairobi National Park (FoNNaP) warn. “It is about whether we are willing to sacrifice critical habitats for convenience.” What is happening inside Nairobi National Park is not an isolated incident, but part of a broader pattern that conservationists say is tightening around Nairobi’s remaining green spaces. Nairobi National Park at the Capital of Kenya. | Courtesy In recent months, sections of Karura Forest have come under scrutiny over proposed developments and infrastructure expansions. Public outcry has repeatedly forced reviews and reversals, but the pressure has not eased. Similarly, Ngong Forest has faced controversy over plans for the construction of recreational facilities and other projects that critics say risk fragmenting one of the city’s key water catchments. “We are witnessing a gradual normalization of intrusion into protected forests,” said a representative from Friends of Karura Forest, who has now joined FoNNaP in opposing the developments inside the national park. “Each project is justified on its own terms, but cumulatively, they are eroding Nairobi’s ecological backbone.” Nairobi’s forests of Karura, Ngong, and the wooded stretches within Nairobi National Park function as vital carbon sinks, temperature regulators, and water catchments in a city already grappling with rising heat, erratic rainfall, and air pollution. Losing even sections of upland forest, experts warn, could disrupt habitat connectivity, reduce biodiversity resilience, and weaken the city’s natural defenses against climate change. FoNNaP has launched the SAVE NNP campaign, calling for an immediate halt to all ongoing works and a full public disclosure of project approvals, insisting that Kenya’s protected areas must not be incrementally converted into commercial extensions of the city. “National parks are not parking lots,” the group says in its petition, urging citizens to intervene before irreversible damage is done. The campaign is gaining traction online and within Nairobi’s growing environmental movement, drawing support from civil society groups, conservationists, and ordinary residents who see the park as part of the city’s identity. The controversy is a test of Kenya’s environmental governance at a time when global attention on conservation and climate action is intensifying. If development proceeds within legally protected zones, critics argue, it could weaken public trust in conservation frameworks and embolden simContinue Reading

]]> 07e38f6bc952b9271342c0eea02bf1a4 https://big3africa.org/?p=5362 Sat, 28 Mar 2026 14:02:19 +0300 Scientists Turn Cow Dung into Low-Cost Carbon Capture Material A new scientific breakthrough is transforming one of agriculture’s most overlooked waste products, cow dung, into a promising tool for tackling greenhouse gas emissions, offering a low-cost and sustainable pathway for carbon dioxide (CO₂) capture. This is after researchers from the Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar (IITGN) developed a method of converting cow dung into a highly porous carbon material capable of trapping CO₂ before it enters the atmosphere, marking a significant innovation in the fight against climate change. Carbon capture technologies, collectively known as carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS), are increasingly seen as critical in reducing emissions from fossil fuels and industrial processes. However, existing methods often rely on expensive materials, energy-intensive processes, and chemicals that can themselves pose environmental risks. The new approach sidesteps many of these challenges by using cow dung, an abundant agricultural waste, to create porous carbon adsorbent materials with microscopic pores that can trap CO₂ on their surface. Scientists say the material demonstrates strong performance, while also being cheaper and more environmentally friendly to produce. Traditional carbon capture materials often involve toxic chemicals and generate wastewater during production. In contrast, the cow dung-based alternative minimizes chemical use and reduces environmental pollution during manufacturing. The process is also described as scalable and stable over repeated use, raising the possibility of deployment in industrial settings where emissions are hardest to abate. Livestock farming is typically associated with greenhouse gas emissions, particularly methane and nitrous oxide. But this research highlights a shift in thinking by seeing agricultural by-products not just as pollutants, but as part of the solution. Already, cow manure is used in biogas systems to produce renewable energy, capturing methane that would otherwise escape into the atmosphere. The development comes amid a broader global push to find new ways to capture and remove greenhouse gases, from ocean-based carbon removal to advanced materials and bio-based solutions. While still in early stages, the cow dung-derived carbon material represents a shift toward nature-based and waste-driven climate technology solutions that are not only effective but also accessiContinue Reading

]]> e7bb0fadddbf3677a1c86313dfa70f63 https://big3africa.org/?p=5354 Thu, 26 Mar 2026 15:27:20 +0300 Kenya’s Renewed Oil Push Faces a Tainted Environmental Legacy By Christopher Clark At first glance, there is little to suggest that Kapese, a dusty settlement of traditional manyattas and free-roaming livestock scattered across the parched landscape of northern Kenya’s Turkana region, is the epicenter of the country’s oil ambitions. Beyond a couple of boreholes and a small primary school bearing the logo of Tullow Oil, the Anglo-Irish company that first discovered significant crude deposits here near the town of Lokichar in 2010, little of the development once promised to residents has materialized. Since Tullow halted operations in 2020 after more than a decade of setbacks and spiraling debt, much of the extractive infrastructure that punctuated the surrounding scrubland has also been dismantled. Locals have stripped gates and fencing from the well pads for scrap metal. Heavy plastic liners, once used to store drilling waste, now stretch across the roofs of many nearby manyattas. Yet, as one approaches the Twiga oil well, where several waste pits sit in long rows like burial sites behind a chain-link fence topped with coils of razor wire, a faint, acrid smell of petroleum still hangs in the air. “That smell — you used to be able to smell it from 500 meters away,” said Enock Paule, a local community leader from Kapese, squinting into the harsh midday sun. “You couldn’t even go near this fence.” He recalled bringing a team of Kenyan journalists here some years ago, and several of them vomiting from the stench. Today, Paule and other residents point to these pits as evidence of the toxic legacy of early oil exploration in Turkana. As Nairobi-based Gulf Energy seeks to revive the dormant project it acquired from Tullow in September 2025, they say the environmental damage and governance failures of those years remain unresolved. While Gulf has reiterated Tullow’s past promises that the project will bring new economic opportunities to Turkana, the company has not publicly addressed these concerns. But for Muturi wa Kamau, national network coordinator at the Kenya Oil and Gas Working Group, such issues will not simply disappear with a change in operator. “This is going to keep following them,” he said. “What happened during Tullow’s operations will continue to shape the present and the future of this project.” Back on the ground in Kapese, Paule and his community say they are determined to set a new precedent: this time, people will be held to account. Elkanah Elimlin was among those who believed Tullow’s initial pledge that oil would help transform Turkana, bringing much-needed jobs, public services and infrastructure to Kenya’s poorest county. “We really thought that we would benefit from this investment,” he said. “We were very happy about it.” For a time, Elimlin, who lives in Lokichar but keeps livestock with relatives in Kapese, benefited directly from Tullow’s presence. Some of his children attended the new school in Kapese. In 2019, he got a job as a seismic field assistant, helping to collect data that would be sent back to Tullow’s London headquarters to help map underground oil reserves. But after a year, that work ceased along with Tullow’s operations in 2020. Today, with the local economy having since slowed to a standstill, Elimlin is jobless. Like many people in this part of Turkana, he has spent the last six years living in a state of protracted limbo. Over that time, he has also become increasingly concerned about the safety of the area around the Kapese well pads. In March 2024, Elimlin was one of 73 residents who filed a petition at the Environment and Land Court in Lodwar against Tullow, the Turkana County government, and Kenya’s National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), for what the filing described as “environmental violence.” The case alleges that hazardous exploration activities and poor waste management damaged the local environment and pastoral livelihoods. Among the examples cited is the reported death of dozens of livestock that locals say died after drinking from a contaminated water source near the Kapese well pads. The petition seeks compensation and asks the court to require Tullow to post an environmental bond of 284 billion shillings ($2.2 billion) to fund land restoration and prevent further harm. Enock Paule surveys the old waste pits in Kapese. | Christopher Clark for Mongabay. After several delays, hearings finally began in February this year and are currently ongoing. Beyond the allegations set out in the court filing, residents point to a broader catalog of accidents they say highlight inadequate safeguards around oil infrastructure. In 2016, a 14-year-old boy drowned in a water-filled quarry that had not been properly decommissioned. In 2022, a senior police officer was killed while attempting to detonate unexploded ordnance left at Tullow drilling sites. But for Elimlin, in an area currently facing a crippling drought, the possible contamination of critical water sources remains the greatest concern. “We believe that hazardous waste has seeped into our community,” he told Mongabay. “It’s not just the animals that are dying. You look at the trees around the well pads, and many of them have died off. This environment can no longer support our pastoral activities.” Such concerns do not only apply to Kapese. Kamau of the Kenyan Oil and Gas Working Group said that during a 2019 assessment of nine well pads across the South Lokichar Basin, waste containment had “clearly been compromised” at a site known as Akuwa-1, roughly 100 kilometers (60 miles) north of Kapese, with waste seeping into surrounding soils. Meanwhile, just meters away from the waste pits, a group of Turkana women was digging a shallow well to extract water. “Once that seepage actually reaches the water table, in a water-scarce area like this, there’s a high likelihood that those women are going to be drinking water that has been contaminated,” Kamau said. This thesis is supported by a 2022 study by a team of researchers at Kenyatta University in Nairobi. The study found that eight of 11 groundwater samples collected near oil well pads in the Lokichar Basin were “highly contaminated,” with levels of heavy metals and salts that far exceeded set drinking water standards. The researchers also warned that increased groundwater abstraction had contributed to declining borehole levels, a trend likely to worsen when oil activity resumes. Meanwhile, Faith Nelima, a reproductive health and oncology nurse who previously worked at the Lokichar Health Centre and is now a school nurse at Lokichar Girls Secondary School, told Mongabay that she and her colleagues had observed unusually high rates of respiratory infections among residents of Kapese and other villages near oil extraction sites. She added that there was an unusual number of women presenting with breast lumps from the same communities. Several community members also said that miscarriages have become more common. However, Nelima said this is difficult to verify because many women from pastoral communities do not seek treatment at formal health facilities. Such information gaps have complicated efforts to assess the true impact of oil exploration in Turkana, where a broader lack of baseline data has fueled uncertainty among local communities. For Elimlin, this has taken on an acutely personal aspect: when his 7-year-old daughter was born with severe developmental challenges that doctors struggled to diagnose, he found himself wondering if it somehow stemmed from the drilling. “It was the first time I’d ever seen anything like this,” he said. “You can’t help but ask yourself such questions.” As Gulf Energy and the national government seek to resuscitate Kenya’s oil ambitions, residents’ concerns about water safety, unexplained illnesses, and the lack of clear environmental monitoring around past oil operations have repeatedly resurfaced at a recent series of public forums held across Turkana. Critics say these gaps reflect long-standing weaknesses in regulatory oversight. Francis Emanikor, NEMA’s county environment officer for Turkana, conceded that communities have repeatedly complained about improper management of solid waste, but said that his department’s actions are restricted by a lack of resources. “In terms of enforcement, there are just two of us, plus a driver,” he told Mongabay. “With such a lean team, we cannot ensure that there is full compliance with all the environmental regulations.” With commercial production slated to begin in December this year, community leaders and local MPs also noted that key environmental assessments have not yet been completed, deepening anxieties about the project’s impact on water, land and livelihoods. “Considering the new timeline, these conversations should have happened a long time ago,” Kamau said. The lack of transparency and accountability has been exacerbated by the void created when Tullow closed its Turkana field offices in 2020. For more than five years, as local communities waited in uncertainty, there were no longer any clear channels to raise their grievances. “There was no way for them to actually escalate some of these issues that they were facing because they did not know who to approach,” Kamau told Mongabay. “Hence the reason why they pursued litigation as a last resort.” Elimlin echoed this sentiment: “When incidents happen, they never come back and explain to us,” he said. “We don’t get any results out of the things we raise with the government or with the investor. And that’s why we went to court.” Similar frustrations have also spilled into a separate legal dispute over oil revenues and land governance. In 2024, community leaders in Lokichar filed a petition challenging the county government’s handling of 258 million shillings ($2 million) in oil-related revenue earmarked for local development, arguing the funds were disbursed without adequate consultation or transparency. “We are still trying to follow that money,” said Veronica Lowoyan, chair of Lokichar’s Community Land Management Committee. “Nobody from the county government has ever come to speak to us or offer any support.” Analysts say such disputes are likely to become more common as communities grow more aware of their rights. Elisabeth Schubiger, a researcher at the University of Fribourg in Switzerland, who studies natural resource governance and pastoral livelihoods in northern Kenya, said civil society groups have played a key role in this regard. “They have taught people how to engage with government representatives and companies,” she said. “People are very much more empowered now, and they will demand more.” But even when communities seek accountability through the courts, the process can drag on for decades. In neighboring Marsabit county, residents are still pursuing legal action over the alleged dumping of toxic waste during oil exploration in the 1980s, which has been linked to unusually high cancer rates. Back in Kapese, Paule said the experience of the past 15 years has fundamentally reshaped how people in Turkana perceive the county’s extractive promise. “At first, people believed this project would remove poverty and make their lives better,” he said. “Now we are asking questions.” The article has been republished from Mongabay: https://news.mongabay.com/2026/03/kenyas-renewed-oil-push-Continue Reading

]]> 7be7c01cf859408806e582fdd73371e7 https://big3africa.org/?p=5345 Wed, 25 Mar 2026 07:48:43 +0300 Turkana Genetic Adaptation Reveals Climate Survival Edge and Emerging Health Risks A new genetic study finds that the Turkana people of northern Kenya have evolved unique biological traits that enable them to survive prolonged dehydration, offering critical insights into human adaptation to extreme climates, even as rapid environmental and lifestyle changes pose new health risks. The research analysed hundreds of genomes from Turkana communities and identified genetic variations that help the body conserve water and protect kidney function under conditions of chronic heat and scarcity. Scientists say the findings highlight how long-term exposure to harsh, arid environments has shaped human biology, turning the Turkana into one of the clearest modern examples of climate-driven evolution. The Turkana inhabit one of Kenya’s driest regions, where temperatures frequently exceed 35°C and access to water is limited. For generations, they have relied on pastoralism, consuming protein-rich diets and often going long periods without adequate hydration. According to the study, specific genes linked to kidney function, particularly those regulating salt and water balance, have evolved to enable the body to retain fluids more efficiently. This allows many Turkana individuals to withstand dehydration levels that would typically lead to kidney injury in other populations. Researchers noted that despite widespread signs of dehydration, cases of related complications such as kidney damage or gout remain relatively low within traditional Turkana communities. The study traces these adaptations back thousands of years, to periods of increasing aridity across East Africa. As rainfall declined and landscapes dried, natural selection favoured individuals better suited to heat stress and water scarcity. Over time, these traits became embedded in the population’s genetic makeup. Scientists say this process underscores the long-term relationship between climate and human evolution, demonstrating how environmental pressures can directly shape physiological functions. However, the same research warns that these adaptations may now be turning into a liability as climate change intensify droughts across northern Kenya, undermining pastoral livelihoods and pushing more Turkana families to migrate to urban areas such as Lodwar, Eldoret, Kitae and Nairobi. In urban settings, access to water improves, diets shift toward processed foods, and physical activity declines, creating a sharp break from traditional lifestyles. Researchers say this rapid transition is exposing Turkana populations to rising rates of non-communicable diseases, including diabetes, hypertension, and kidney disorders. The shift reflects what scientists describe as an “evolutionary mismatch,” where traits that evolved for survival in one environment become harmful in another. The findings come as global temperatures continue to rise, increasing the number of people exposed to heat stress and water insecurity. Experts say understanding how the Turkana body manages dehydration could inform the development of new treatments for kidney disease and improve responses to heat-related illnesses worldwide. At the same time, the study highlights the broader health risks associated with climate-driven displacement and lifestyle change, particularly for communities with deeply rooted environmental adaptations. For Kenya, the research underscores the growing intersection between climate change, public health, and social transformation. As droughts intensify and migration accelerates, policymakers face the challenge of supporting vulnerable communities throughContinue Reading

]]> 66dd32dc4632730cada5218571896e25 https://big3africa.org/?p=5340 Wed, 25 Mar 2026 05:00:00 +0300 El Niño Threat Looms Over Kenya as Global Forecasts Point to Possible 2026 Return Meteorologists are warning that a possible return of the El Niño weather phenomenon later this year could reshape rainfall patterns in Kenya and trigger extreme weather across the globe, even as uncertainty remains over its exact timing and strength. Forecasts from major climate centres, including the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), indicate a growing likelihood of El Niño forming by mid to late 2026, with some models suggesting it could strengthen toward the end of the year. The World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) says the current La Niña conditions in the Pacific Ocean are fading, with the climate system expected to shift into a neutral phase in the coming months. Forecast models show about a 60–70 per cent likelihood of neutral conditions between March and June 2026. However, beyond mid-year, the probability of El Niño formation begins to rise. WMO projections indicate the likelihood increasing to around 40 per cent between May and July, while other global models suggest the chances could exceed 50 per cent later in the year. Scientists say this transition is part of the El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) cycle, a natural climate pattern that periodically warms the equatorial Pacific Ocean and disrupts weather systems worldwide. A family uses a boat after fleeing floodwaters that wreaked havoc in the Githurai area of Nairobi, Kenya, April 24, 2024. | Courtesy AP Photo/Patrick Ngugi, In Kenya, early signals already point to a complex year ahead. Seasonal forecasts indicate near-normal rainfall for the March–May “long rains,” but with higher-than-normal temperatures likely to stress already vulnerable communities. Local meteorological assessments suggest that if El Niño develops later in the year, it could enhance rainfall, particularly during the short rains season, raising the risk of floods. Previous El Niño events have had devastating consequences in the country. The 2023–2024 episode triggered widespread flooding, infrastructure damage, and displacement across several counties. Experts caution that even before El Niño fully forms, the transition period can bring erratic weather. Reports indicate a possible delay in early-season rains followed by heavier precipitation later in the year if warming intensifies in the Pacific. Globally, scientists warn that a new El Niño could amplify already rising temperatures driven by climate change. Some projections suggest the phenomenon could push global temperatures toward record highs in the next two years. El Niño typically redistributes heat and moisture across the planet, bringing floods to parts of East Africa and South America, while causing droughts in regions such as Australia and Southeast Asia. For Kenya, this means preparing for multiple scenarios, from modest rains that fail to ease drought conditions to intense downpours that could trigger flooding. Climate experts say the rising probability of El Niño underscores the need for early planning in agriculture, water management, and disaster response. The WMO notes that its seasonal forecasts are designed to help governments anticipate risks such aContinue Reading

]]> 0a0059778e126dbf6b184c1a72255734 https://big3africa.org/?p=5333 Tue, 24 Mar 2026 10:54:49 +0300 Climate Whiplash Delays Planting in Many Parts of Kenya For Douglas King’ori and Pius Wanyoike, the sudden heavy rainfall that began in February arrived not as relief but as disruption. The two maize farmers in Ntulele, Narok County, had barely prepared their land after weeks of hot, dry conditions when the skies opened. What followed were intense downpours that soaked their fields before a single seed could go into the ground. “The rains came earlier than the usual planting time. I rushed to plant, but some farms were too waterlogged for tractors to enter. I have yet to plant some fields. I am thinking of planting wheat when they ease because maize may not do well with delayed planting,” says Wanyoike. King’ori shares the same frustration: “Farming is becoming very tricky, mainly because of the unpredictable weather. Timing for planting is no longer as straightforward as before. Rains are coming too early or too late, and when they come, they are either very heavy or too low,” he says. For years, Lerionka Kuntikala has been the steady hand behind leased farms in Ntulele, managing vast stretches of land on behalf of farmers like Alex Kagiri and Steve Irungu, whose holdings span tens of acres. This season, says Kuntikala, rainfall caught even the experienced hands off guard: “I have never seen this. The rains came as a surprise, and I rushed to plant as fast as I could, but they were too intense. After three days I had to abandon the planting. Many farms were waterlogged for tractors,” he says. Women under taking the planning in the past. | Courtesy What is happening in Ntulele is unfolding across much of Kenya. From the Rift Valley to parts of Central and Western regions, farmers are grappling with the same sudden shift, from extreme heat to pounding rains. In some areas, seeds planted early have been washed away. In other fields remain too wet to work. Roads have become impassable, and in low-lying zones, floods have crept into homes, forcing families to move. Just weeks ago, the concern was drought. Now, there is too much water. Scientists say this is part of a growing global pattern where weather swings sharply between extremes. They call it “climate whiplash”, a rapid flip from dry to wet conditions that leaves little time to adjust. In practical terms, it means farmers like King’ori and Wanyoike are forced to make decisions without certainty: Do they wait and risk missing the season entirely? Do they switch crops? Or do they plant and hope the rains stabilise? According to the Global Water Monitor 2025 report, rainfall patterns are shifting sharply, with heavy downpours becoming more frequent and more intense across many regions. At the same time, prolonged dry periods are deepening, creating what scientists describe as a more volatile and less predictable water system. Researchers say the changes are being driven by rising global temperatures, which are accelerating the movement of water through the atmosphere. This is resulting in stronger storms, higher evaporation rates and more rapid swings between wet and dry conditions. The report highlights a growing trend of “climate whiplash,” where regions experience rapid transitions between extreme rainfall and severe drought within short periods. These shifts are leaving communities with little time to recover between disasters. Planting during the time. | Courtesy Data in the report also shows an increase in “flash droughts,” which develop within weeks due to a combination of heat and lack of rainfall. Scientists warn that these fast-onset droughts are particularly difficult to manage, as they can quickly deplete soil moisture and water supplies before mitigation measures are in place. At the same time, the number of extremely hot days, above 35 degrees Celsius, is rising, placing additional stress on water availability, agriculture, and public health systems. The report notes that extreme rainfall events are now affecting larger populations, increasing the risk of floods and landslides. In some regions, infrastructure is failing to cope with the intensity of rainfall, leading to widespread damage and displacement. In Africa, the findings point to increasing drought risk in the Horn of Africa, alongside heightened flood threats in parts of the Sahel and southern Africa. Scientists warn that this combination is likely to intensify food insecurity and strain already limited water resources. The report also indicates that water-related hazards are expanding into new regions, with some areas experiencing extreme events that were previously rare or unknown. Globally, the past three years have been among the hottest on record, a trend the report links directly to the intensification of the water cycle. Warmer air holds more moisture, increasing the likelihood of heavier rainfall, while higher temperatures also accelerate drying during rain-free periods. Researchers say the combined effect is a water system that is becoming harder to predict and manage, with significant implications for agriculture, infrastructure, and human health. Back in Ntulele, the uncertainty lingers. With fields still too wet to till, Wanyoike is weighing his options, while King’ori watches the skies, unsure whether the rains will persist or disappear as suddenly as they came. For now, the promise of rain, once a symbol of hope, has becoContinue Reading

]]> a524b73e1cf4dde97158e34623b524f7 https://big3africa.org/?p=5318 Tue, 24 Mar 2026 05:06:58 +0300 How Cape Town’s Air Pollution Fight Offer Lessons for African Cities African cities are experiencing some of the fastest urbanisation rates globally, with the United Nations estimating that the continent’s urban population will grow from about 43 per cent of the total population in 2020 to nearly 60 per cent by 2050. Against this backdrop, the air is becoming increasingly hazardous. From congested highways to smoky cooking fuels and industrial emissions, pollution is emerging as one of the continent’s most overlooked public health crises. Globally, pollution is responsible for an estimated nine million deaths every year, according to research published in The Lancet Planetary Health. It shows pollution-related deaths increasing steadily, driven by industrial processes, urbanisation and fossil fuel emissions. In this study, several African countries feature prominently among those hardest hit, including Chad, the Central African Republic, Niger, Somalia, South Africa, Lesotho and Burkina Faso. For cities expanding at breakneck speed, the statistics raise a difficult question of whether African urban centres can grow without choking on their own pollution. “Pollution remains one of the major challenges continuing to affect cities across the continent,” said Etienne Krug, Director of the Department of Social Determinants of Health at the World Health Organisation WHO. Cape Town, South Africa’s second-largest city, offers an important case study which highlights both progress and gaps in tackling urban air pollution. South Africa’s air quality management has undergone a major overhaul over the past two decades. For nearly 40 years, the country relied on the Atmospheric Pollution Prevention Act of 1965, legislation largely focused on controlling emissions at industrial sites rather than protecting communities exposed to polluted air. Air pollution in Cape Town South Africa | Courtesy That changed in 2004 when the government introduced the National Environmental Management Air Quality Act, shifting the country toward a more comprehensive environmental management approach. Under the law, national authorities set standards while provincial and municipal governments are responsible for implementing and enforcing them. “Currently, cities such as Cape Town are empowered to develop their own by-laws, issue pollution licences to industries and create air quality management plans. Also, the legislation now requires authorities to have air quality management plans, regulate emissions and develop by-laws to manage pollution locally,” explains Ian Gildenhuys, Head of Specialised Environmental Health Air Quality, City Health, City of Cape Town. Cape Town developed its first air quality management plan in 2005, guided by scientific research that mapped pollution sources across the city. “The city operates a network of fixed monitoring stations that track pollutants such as sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, ozone and particulate matter, tiny particles known as PM10 and PM2.5 that can penetrate deep into the lungs.” Data from these stations is fed into the South African Air Quality Information System, a digital platform that allows residents to monitor pollution levels in real time through a mobile application. “The system uses a simple colour-coded index to indicate whether air quality is good, moderate or hazardous.” But monitoring infrastructure is expensive. “Establishing a full air quality monitoring station costs more than three million South African Rand (about $160,000), with annual maintenance costs adding further financial strain,” explains Gildenhuys. This means that many municipalities in South Africa, like the rest of the continent, don’t have the proper capacity to undertake such kind of monitoring. Also, while regulatory improvements continue, cities still face persistent challenges, beyond the high cost of establishing full air-quality monitoring stations, with transport identified as a major source of pollution. Recent research in Cape Town shows that vehicle emissions remain a major contributor to particulate pollution, with a 2024 source-apportionment study identifying traffic as one of the dominant PM2.5 sources, alongside other combustion-related sources, while a 2024 Western Cape State of Environment report also highlights transport emissions as a key driver of air pollution in the region. Smog cover over Cape Town | Courtesy According to Gildenhuys, the challenge is partly technological. “South Africa’s vehicle fleet largely operates under older Euro 2 emission standards, far behind the Euro 6 standards used in Europe.” On the other hand, cleaner fuel standards, known as Clean Fuels 2, are expected to be introduced in 2027 after years of delays linked to the high cost of upgrading oil refineries. “Without cleaner fuels, importing newer, low-emission vehicles remains difficult,” explains Gildenhuys. Electric vehicles are widely seen as a solution to urban air pollution. “Electric vehicles present environmental benefits with reduced emissions and noise pollution in urban areas,” says Andrew Amadi, an energy professional and chemical engineer. But electric vehicle adoption in Africa remains slow, with the continent having only about 30,000 EVs in total and less than 1% of new car sales, far below the global average of over 20%. “In South Africa, the uptake of electric vehicles has not been as strong as we would have hoped. High import taxes, limited charging infrastructure and concerns about electricity reliability have slowed the transition,” adds Gildenhuys, saying that these challenges also have had a ripple effect on the cost of these vehicles. But experts also argue that electric vehicles alone cannot solve Africa’s pollution crisis. While traffic dominates urban air pollution, another major source often remains hidden inside homes. Across the continent, millions of households still rely on biomass fuels for daily cooking and heating. According to the African Energy Commission (AFREC, 2023), millions of households across Africa still rely on biomass fuels for daily cooking and heating, with around 85% of household energy use coming from biomass, mainly due to a lack of access to clean cooking technologies. In this context, public health experts warn that indoor smoke remains one of the most dangerous and underestimated pollution risks in developing countries. “Burning biomass fuels such as wood and charcoal for cooking releases a range of harmful pollutants, including carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds,” explains Sammy Simiyu, a public health specialist in Nairobi. Against this backdrop, experts argue that more is needed on the continent to tackle air pollution. “For rapidly growing cities, air pollution must be tackled across multiple sectors. Air pollution is a transversal issue. Many sectors influence it, including transport, industry, land-use planning and energy, which require coordinated action,”Continue Reading

]]> 5bce3d1872a92f65243c7350bfc14995 https://big3africa.org/?p=5326 Mon, 23 Mar 2026 20:32:24 +0300 Global Warming Tightens Grip on Human Health as Heat and Disease Risks Surge Human health is increasingly under threat as global warming reshapes disease patterns, intensifies heat stress, and exposes millions to new risks, according to the State of the Global Climate 2025 report by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). “On a day-to-day basis, our weather has become more extreme,” WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo said when releasing the report on March 23. “In 2025, heatwaves, wildfires, drought, tropical cyclones, storms and flooding caused thousands of deaths, impacted millions of people and caused billions in economic losses.” According to the report, rising temperatures, erratic rainfall and more frequent extreme weather events are altering when and where diseases spread, how severe they become and which populations are most vulnerable. Extreme heat has emerged as one of the deadliest threats. The WMO notes that heatwaves are already driving higher mortality, straining health systems and disrupting livelihoods, while also worsening mental health pressures. Heat is further amplifying the spread of infectious diseases and undermining ecosystems that communities depend on. Among the most alarming trends is the rapid global expansion of dengue fever. The report highlights dengue as the world’s fastest-growing mosquito-borne viral disease, now putting roughly half of the global population at risk, with up to 400 million infections recorded annually, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Scientists say rising temperatures are accelerating mosquito breeding cycles, increasing biting rates and shortening virus incubation periods, making transmission faster and more widespread. Changing rainfall patterns are also creating new breeding grounds, pushing the disease into previously unaffected regions and extending transmission seasons in endemic areas. At the same time, heat stress is taking a heavy toll on workers. More than one-third of the global workforce, an estimated 1.2 billion people, now faces heat-related risks each year, particularly in sectors such as agriculture and construction. The report links rising temperatures to increased fatigue, injuries, dehydration and long-term health complications, alongside declining productivity and income losses. The WMO and WHO are calling for urgent action, urging governments and employers to introduce heat-sensitive workplace policies, adjust working hours, and ensure access to shade, cooling and safe drinking water. They also emphasize the need to integrate weather and climate data into occupational safety planning. According to the report, climate-informed disease surveillance and early warning systems are critical tools to shift from reactive crisis response to proactive prevention, allowing authorities to anticipate outbreaks, target interventions and strengthen health system readiness. The report also underscores the broader human toll of climate-driven extremes. Intensifying droughts, floods and storms are disrupting food production, driving up hunger and forcing displacement across vulnerable regions. These cascading impacts are particularly severe in low- and middle-income countries, where communities have contributed least to global emissions but face the greatest risks. The report warns that Earth’s climate system is being pushed “beyond its limits,” with every key indicator flashing red as human activities increasingly disrupt the planet’s natural energy equilibrium. “The State of the Global Climate is in a state of emergency,” said UN Secretary-General António Guterres in response to the findings. “Planet Earth is being pushed beyond its limits. Every key climate indicator is flashing red.” The report, which for the first time includes the Earth’s energy imbalance as a core climate indicator, confirms that 2015 to 2025 were the 11 hottest years on record. The other indicators are atmospheric carbon dioxide, global mean near-surface temperature, ocean heat content, global mean sea level, ocean, glacier mass balance and sea-ice extent. According to the WMO report, the Earth’s energy balance, which measures the rate at which energy enters and leaves the Earth system, has become increasingly destabilized. Atmospheric concentrations of heat-trapping greenhouse gases (carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide), the report says, have risen to their highest levels in at least 800,000 years, upsetting that equilibrium. “Human activities are increasingly disrupting the natural equilibrium, and we will live with these consequences for hundreds and thousands of years,” said Saulo. “The warming atmosphere has translated directly into more extreme weather events.” Data from monitoring stations show that concentrations of carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide continued to increase in 2025, with the annual increase in carbon dioxide concentration in 2024 being the largest since modern measurements began in 1957, driven by continued fossil fuel emissions and reduced effectiveness of land and ocean carbon sinks. “Humanity has just endured the eleven hottest years on record,” UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said. “When history repeats itself eleven times, it is no longer a coincidence. It is a call to act.” He added: “In this age of war, climate stress is also exposing another truth: our addiction to fossil fuels is destabilizing both the climate and global security. Today’s report should come with a warning label: climate chaos is acceleContinue Reading

]]> b0685f250d5c32de77b73a38838a519b https://big3africa.org/?p=5313 Mon, 23 Mar 2026 06:56:16 +0300 Study Finds Social Media is Fueling Youth Unhappiness and Climate Anxiety The World Happiness Report 2026 has identified social media as a growing driver of declining well-being among young people, with researchers now warning that its impact is extending beyond mental health into the climate and environmental space. Released by the University of Oxford Wellbeing Research Centre, the report draws on data from more than 140 countries over 15 years. It finds a widening generational divide, in which, while happiness levels among adults over 35 remain relatively stable, life satisfaction among people aged 15 to 24 has dropped sharply in countries with high social media use. The research, led by Jan-Emmanuel De Neve, shows the steepest declines in countries such as the United States, United Kingdom, Canada and Australia, where smartphone adoption surged in the early 2010s. “We are seeing a generational split that was not evident before,” De Neve said. “Younger users are not just socialising online, they are experiencing the world, including its crises, through these platforms.” Among the emerging concerns is the role of social media in amplifying climate anxiety, a growing psychological condition, particularly among young people, linked to fear and uncertainty about environmental collapse. Researchers note that algorithm-driven platforms tend to prioritise emotionally charged content, including extreme weather disasters, droughts, wildfires and environmental degradation. This constant exposure, often stripped of context or solutions, is contributing to a heightened sense of helplessness among young users. For adolescents already spending hours online, the report suggests that repeated exposure to climate crisis narratives can deepen stress and pessimism about the future, compounding the broader decline in life satisfaction. Beyond psychological effects, the report points to the overlooked environmental cost of the digital ecosystems powering social media. The growth of platforms such as TikTok, Instagram and YouTube has driven a surge in demand for energy-intensive data centres and cloud infrastructure. While individual users experience social media as weightless and virtual, the report notes that the global digital economy carries a significant carbon footprint. Video streaming, endless scrolling and algorithmic content delivery all require vast computing power, much of it still reliant on fossil fuel-based energy in several regions. As youth spend more time online, researchers warn, the environmental cost of digital consumption is quietly rising alongside its psychological toll. The report also links heavy social media use to reduced physical interaction, not only with people, but with the natural environment. It finds that each additional hour spent online reduces in-person social time by about 25 minutes among adolescents, while also displacing time that could be spent outdoors. This shift has implications for environmental awareness and behaviour. Studies cited in the report show that direct contact with nature is associated with higher well-being and stronger pro-environmental attitudes. Reduced exposure, by contrast, may weaken emotional connections to ecosystems and lower motivation for climate action. Researchers warn that these trends risk creating a feedback loop where young people increasingly consume climate-related content online, feel overwhelmed or powerless, and disengage both socially and environmentally. “There is a growing gap between awareness and agency,” said co-author Lara Aknin. “Young people are highly informed about global challenges like climate change, but the way this information is delivered can leave them feeling unable to act.” The report emphasises that the relationship is not uniform. In countries such as Japan and South Korea, the link between social media use and declining well-being is weaker, partly due to stronger offline social structures. It also distinguishes between passive and active use. Messaging friends or organising around shared causes, including climate activism, can support well-being. By contrast, passive consumption of curated or distressing content is associated with the sharpest declines. The findings add a new dimension to ongoing debates about regulating digital platforms. In addition to calls for stricter age limits, algorithmic transparency and digital literacy, the report suggests integrating environmental considerations into platform design. This could include reducing energy-intensive features, improving transparency around digital carbon footprints, and promoting content that balances awareness with actionable solutions. The report concludes that social media has reshaped not only how young people connect, but how they perceive global crises, including climate change. In doing so, it is influencing both their mental well-being and their relationship with the environment. Researchers warn that addressing their impact will require a broader lens, one that treats mental health, technology and the climate crisis as increasinglyContinue Reading

]]> baac9b345f77925fbb64d52a1142c498 https://big3africa.org/?p=5307 Mon, 23 Mar 2026 06:00:00 +0300 Kenyans Rank Among World’s Least Happy Amid Climate Crisis and High Living Costs Kenya has ranked among the world’s least happy countries in the latest World Happiness Report 2026, with analysts pointing to a potent mix of economic strain, governance concerns, and escalating climate shocks as the factors behind the country’s gloomy face. The report ranks Kenya 110th globally, well below the top-ranked nations and in the lower quarter worldwide. Compiled with support from the United Nations, the index measures well-being using indicators such as income, social support, life expectancy, personal freedom, generosity, and perceptions of corruption. In Kenya, these metrics are increasingly shaped by climate change, with cycles of prolonged droughts followed by intense rainfall battering the country’s agricultural sector, reducing yields, killing livestock, and driving up food prices. For millions of households, the impact has been shrinking incomes and rising living costs. Food inflation has emerged as a major pressure point on happiness, with climate-related disruptions tightening supply and pushing basic commodities further out of reach. The climate shocks are feeding directly into a broader cost-of-living crisis, one of the strongest factors behind Kenya’s low happiness score. High unemployment, particularly among young people, coupled with stagnant wages, has left many struggling to cope as prices rise, leading to a widening gap between economic growth figures and lived reality. Beyond extreme weather, environmental degradation is compounding the problem. Deforestation, land degradation, and the loss of wetlands are weakening the country’s natural buffers against disasters, increasing vulnerability to floods and water shortages. Sad emoji sphere on a dark surface In urban areas such as Nairobi, poor drainage and encroachment on waterways have made seasonal flooding more severe, exposing thousands to repeated losses and displacement. The report also highlights perceptions of corruption and weak institutions, which are longstanding concerns in Kenya and continue to weigh on public confidence and happiness. Experts say these governance gaps are evident in environmental management, where enforcement of conservation laws remains inconsistent, and land-use planning often falls short. This overlap between governance failures and environmental risk is increasingly shaping how citizens perceive their quality of life. Environmental stress is also affecting health and household wellbeing as millions of households still rely on biomass fuels, exposing them to indoor air pollution, while climate variability is straining energy supply, particularly hydropower, leading to higher costs and occasional disruptions. These pressures further erode living standards and contribute to lower life satisfaction. Despite the low ranking, Kenya performs relatively well in measures of generosity and social support, reflecting strong community networks that often act as a safety net. However, analysts warn that informal support systems are being stretched as economic and environmental pressures intensify. Top-ranked countries such as Finland, Denmark, and Iceland continue to dominate the index, supported by strong welfare systems, low corruption, and stable institutions. The latest rankings reinforce a growing consensus among experts that Kenya’s happiness gap is no longer just an economic issue, but is increasingly becoming a climate and governance story, where environmental shocks, weak systems, and rising living costs are combining to shape hoContinue Reading

]]> 1bea4835240d182859f65c4f02f95fa6 https://big3africa.org/activity/p/459/ Fri, 20 Mar 2026 09:01:10 +0300 0 40521501cb4a5439503453aa4f372274 https://big3africa.org/activity/p/458/ Fri, 20 Mar 2026 08:53:33 +0300 0 6ad0af124b71e8b640a157e6d0cf5932 https://big3africa.org/?p=5293 Thu, 19 Mar 2026 11:12:54 +0300 Ecosystem Loss Costing Kenya Billions, World Bank Warns Kenya is paying an increasingly high economic price for degrading its natural ecosystems, with the losses now compounding the country’s vulnerability to climate change, a new study by the World Bank warns. The report, The Economic and Financial Costs of Ecosystem Degradation in Kenya, finds that damage to forests, wetlands, rangelands and water catchments is quietly eroding national income, undermining livelihoods and weakening the country’s natural defenses against climate shocks such as droughts and floods. According to the study, ecosystem degradation is cutting into economic productivity across key sectors, including agriculture, water, energy and tourism, all of which are heavily climate-sensitive. The report links ecosystem loss directly to intensifying climate impacts, where degraded forests and catchments, for instance, reduce water retention and rainfall regulation, worsening both drought severity and flood intensity, a pattern Kenya has experienced in recent years. Wetland destruction and riverbank encroachment have also reduced natural flood buffers, exposing communities and infrastructure to higher risks during extreme rainfall events. At the same time, shrinking vegetation cover in arid and semi-arid lands is accelerating land degradation, making pastoralist systems more fragile in the face of prolonged drought. “Nature loss is amplifying climate risk,” the report notes, pointing out that ecosystems act as critical “natural infrastructure” that Kenya can no longer afford to lose. While exact figures vary by sector, the study estimates that Kenya is losing billions of shillings annually due to declining ecosystem services, ranging from reduced crop yields and livestock productivity to increased water treatment costs and disaster damage. In agriculture, soil degradation and deforestation are lowering farm productivity, even as erratic weather linked to climate change places further pressure on food systems. In the energy sector, reduced river flows, partly tied to degraded catchments, are affecting hydropower generation, increasing reliance on costly and polluting alternatives such as fossil fuels. Tourism, another major foreign exchange earner, is also at risk as biodiversity loss threatens iconic landscapes and wildlife habitats. According to the report, the burden of ecosystem degradation is falling disproportionately on rural communities, especially those dependent on rain-fed agriculture and natural resources. In many parts of the country, households are being forced to travel longer distances for water and firewood, while declining pasture and soil fertility are driving income losses and, in some cases, conflict over shrinking resources. The report highlights that these impacts are being felt most acutely in already climate-vulnerable regions, deepening inequality and undermining resilience. Despite the grim outlook, the World Bank argues that restoring ecosystems could deliver significant economic returns while strengthening climate resilience. Investments in reforestation, sustainable land management, wetland protection and climate-smart agriculture are identified as cost-effective solutions that can boost productivity, secure water supplies and reduce disaster risks. The study calls for integrating natural capital into Kenya’s economic planning, including better valuation of ecosystem services and stronger enforcement of environmental regulations. It also urges increased public and private financing for nature-based solutions, noting that the cost of inaction will far exceed the investments required to restore degraded landscapes. The findings come at a time when Kenya is positioning itself as a regional leader in climate action, but continues to grapple with deforestation, land degradation, and rapid urban eContinue Reading

]]> e10a0015a775d5b7e75153e79a5a7e53 https://big3africa.org/?p=5286 Thu, 19 Mar 2026 05:51:19 +0300 UN Chief Says Iran War Should Prompt Faster Transition to Green Energy The disruption to global energy markets sparked by the war in Iran should serve as a wake-up call for nations whose economies continue to depend on fossil fuels, the United Nations’ top climate official has warned, urging leaders to accelerate the transition to renewable energy as a matter of security and economic survival. Simon Stiell, executive secretary of the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), told the Green Growth Summit in Brussels that the conflict is “an abject lesson” in the perils of fossil fuel dependency. “Fossil fuel dependency is ripping away national security and sovereignty, and replacing it with subservience and rising costs,” Stiell said. Since the outbreak of hostilities on February 28, attacks on tankers in the Strait of Hormuz have choked supply chains and sent energy prices spiraling. European gas prices have jumped 50 percent, reviving memories of the 2022 energy crisis that followed Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The ripple effects are being felt far beyond Europe, with universities in Bangladesh closing early, the Philippines considering reduced public working hours, and gasoline stations in Vietnam posting “sold out” signs. Kenya and other African countries are also directly exposed to global price swings caused by the war, and this could soon translate into higher fuel costs, increased transport fares, and rising food prices. | Courtesy “Fossil fuel dependency means economies, household budgets, and business bottom lines are at the mercy of geopolitical shocks and price volatility in a chaotic world,” Stiell said. In contrast to the volatility of oil and gas markets, he argued, renewable energy offers a path to insulation from global turmoil. “Renewables turn the tables,” Stiell told the gathering. “Sunlight doesn’t depend on narrow and vulnerable shipping straits. Wind blows without massive taxpayer-funded naval escorts. Renewable energy allows countries to insulate themselves from global turmoil, and to side-step might-is-right politics”. His remarks come at a moment of inflection for global energy markets. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), investment in clean energy exceeded $2 trillion last year, double that poured into fossil fuels, and for the first time, renewables overtook coal as the world’s top electricity source. Yet some governments are responding to the current supply crunch by doubling down on hydrocarbons. The Trump administration has positioned the United States as a stable supplier of oil and gas in a dangerous era. In Europe, nations including Italy and Hungary have urged the EU to weaken climate policies to provide short-term relief for industries hammered by high energy prices. Stiell dismissed such approaches as “completely delusional,” arguing that slowing the shift to renewables, which he called “cheaper, safer, and faster to market,” would only compound the problem. “History tells us this fossil fuel crisis will happen again and again,” he said. The address landed at a moment of anxiety in European capitals, with EU leaders hurriedly drafting emergency measures to shield consumers from price spikes, even as they grapple with longer-term questions about the bloc’s energy architecture. Some nations are faring better than others, for instance, Spain, which has doubled its wind and solar capacity since 2019 and is seeing its electricity prices less influenced by the Iran crisis. “Dependence on fossil fuel imports will leave Europe forever lurching from crisis to crisis, with households and industries literally paying the price,” Stiell said. Beyond security and cost, Stiell framed the green transition as an economic imperative. “There’s a lot of commentary about populism at the moment,” Stiell observed. “But the reality is, what most voters are demanding is that climate action delivers at scale, meaning more security, well-paid jobs, better health, and reliefContinue Reading

]]> eaec8dbbb79c8bd2f4b3d41d5569e1e4 https://big3africa.org/?p=5282 Wed, 18 Mar 2026 14:16:03 +0300 Nairobi Among African Cities Recognised in Global ‘Tree Cities of the World’ Programme Kenya’s capital, Nairobi, has earned global recognition for its efforts to protect and expand urban green spaces, after being named among cities honoured under the Tree Cities of the World programme by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and the Arbour Day Foundation. The latest list, released this week, recognises 283 cities worldwide that have demonstrated a sustained commitment to urban forestry, a growing pillar in the fight against climate change, air pollution and urban heat. Nairobi is the only city in Kenya on the list, placing it among a select group of African capitals and municipalities that are prioritising trees as critical infrastructure. Across the continent, other recognised cities include Accra and Kumasi in Ghana, Kampala (Uganda), Addis Ababa (Ethiopia), Rabat (Morocco) and Tunis (Tunisia). South Africa had the largest representation, with Johannesburg, Pretoria, Cape Town and Durban all making the cut. The Tree Cities of the World initiative, jointly run by FAO and the Arbour Day Foundation, sets five core standards for participating cities. These include establishing clear responsibility for tree management, enacting policies to protect urban forests, maintaining up-to-date tree inventories, allocating dedicated budgets, and holding public events to celebrate and raise awareness about trees. Addis Ababa is taking over as a green city in Africa. | Courtesy In a statement accompanying the announcement, FAO said cities recognised under the programme are leading the way in integrating nature-based solutions into urban planning, noting that urban forests are increasingly vital in buffering cities against extreme weather, reducing flood risks, and improving public health. Nairobi’s recognition comes at a time when the city is grappling with rapid urbanisation, shrinking green spaces and mounting climate pressures, including recurrent flooding linked to poor land use and deforestation in upstream catchments. Urban planners and environmental experts say the designation is both an endorsement and a challenge. “Nairobi has made notable progress in restoring tree cover and protecting key ecosystems like Karura and Ngong forests,” said an urban forestry expert. “But the real test is whether this recognition translates into stronger enforcement against encroachment and more investment in green infrastructure across all neighbourhoods.” The recognition aligns with Kenya’s broader environmental ambitions, including the national target to grow at least 15 billion trees by 2032. Nairobi’s role is seen as critical, given its position as both an economic hub and one of the fastest-growing cities in Africa. Globally, the Tree Cities of the World network continues to expand, reflecting a shift in how cities view trees as essential systems for climate resContinue Reading

]]> 246daa1673f0980b8a1cee7117574b6d https://big3africa.org/?p=5269 Wed, 18 Mar 2026 06:23:28 +0300 Deforestation Could Be Amplifying Kenya’s Flood Disasters, New Research Warns The destruction of forests can increase the risk of severe floods by up to eight times, according to new research highlighted by the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction, a finding that raises fresh concerns for countries like Kenya that are grappling with increasingly destructive floods. The study, reported by the disaster risk reduction platform PreventionWeb, found that removing forest cover dramatically alters how landscapes absorb rainfall, making flood events far more likely and severe. Scientists involved in the research say the loss of forests can transform what would normally be a once-in-64-year flood into an event that occurs roughly once every eight years. The warning comes as parts of Kenya continue to experience flooding that has killed dozens of people, displaced families and destroyed homes and infrastructure in several counties. According to the report, forests act as natural buffers against flooding by intercepting rainfall and allowing water to slowly infiltrate into the soil. Furthermore, tree canopies reduce the impact of raindrops on the ground, while roots and organic matter in forest soils absorb large quantities of water. When forests are cleared, that natural sponge disappears, enabling rainwater to reach the ground faster, saturating soils more quickly and flows rapidly into streams and rivers, creating powerful surges that can overwhelm riverbanks and drainage systems. Recent issue of floods in Kenya. | Courtesy Researchers analysed long-term hydrological records from forested catchments and compared flood patterns before and after large-scale forest loss. Their findings showed that areas that lost forest cover experienced dramatically higher flood peaks and significantly greater flood frequency. The findings have direct implications for Kenya, where environmental experts have repeatedly warned that deforestation and land degradation are weakening the country’s natural flood defenses. Key water towers such as the Mau Forest, the Aberdare Range, and Mount Kenya play a crucial role in regulating water flow into major river systems. But decades of logging, settlement, and agricultural expansion have significantly reduced forest cover in some of these areas. At the same time, rapid urbanisation in cities such as Nairobi has replaced natural landscapes with concrete surfaces that prevent water from soaking into the ground. Environmental planners say this combination of deforestation upstream and poorly planned urban growth downstream can dramatically worsen flooding during heavy rains. Scientists say climate change is also increasing the intensity of rainfall events across East Africa, raising the stakes for countries already dealing with environmental degradation. The United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction says restoring forests and protecting watersheds should be a central strategy in reducing disaster risk. Experts say reforestation, improved land-use planning and the protection of wetlands could help reduce the scale of fContinue Reading

]]> 4ec80660f54472b80c08c15d668a6942 https://big3africa.org/?p=5264 Tue, 17 Mar 2026 10:36:39 +0300 Africa Launches First Climate–Health Desk to Turn Weather Data into Disease Warnings Africa has launched its first dedicated climate–health information hub to help governments translate climate and weather forecasts into early warnings for disease outbreaks and other health risks. The Africa Climate–Health Desk was officially unveiled last Friday during the Africa Continental Climate Outlook Forum (ACCOF) in Kigali, Rwanda, marking a new step in linking climate science with public health decision-making across the continent. The desk will serve as a regional platform that translates climate and weather data into practical guidance for health authorities, allowing them to anticipate climate-sensitive diseases such as malaria, cholera and heat-related illnesses. Climate and health experts said the initiative responds to growing evidence that climate variability and extreme weather events are reshaping disease patterns in Africa. The Climate–Health Desk is designed to bridge a long-standing gap between meteorological agencies and health ministries. While weather and climate data are widely produced across Africa, public health officials often lack tools to convert that information into actionable warnings. Using the new desk, seasonal climate outlooks, rainfall predictions, and temperature forecasts will be translated into health advisories to guide governments on preparedness measures, including vaccine deployment, mosquito control campaigns, and emergency health responses. Organisers said the platform will help health authorities answer practical questions such as where disease outbreaks are likely to occur following heavy rains, when extreme heat could threaten vulnerable populations, or how drought conditions may increase malnutrition and water-borne diseases. The desk is supported by the global climate-health platform, ClimaHealth, and aims to strengthen collaboration between meteorological institutions, public health agencies and climate researchers. Scientists warn that climate change is already intensifying many of the environmental conditions that influence disease transmission across Africa. Rising temperatures can expand the geographic range of disease-carrying mosquitoes, while floods and storms can contaminate water sources and increase outbreaks of cholera and other diarrheal diseases. Heatwaves are also becoming more frequent, posing risks particularly to children, the elderly and outdoor workers. Public health systems across the continent have struggled to keep pace with these shifting patterns. Experts say integrating climate information into health planning is increasingly essential as extreme weather events become more frequent. The launch at ACCOF brings together climate scientists, meteorological agencies, policymakers and development partners from across Africa. The forum regularly produces seasonal climate outlooks that guide agriculture, disaster preparedness and water management decisions across the continent. By embedding a climate–health desk within the forum’s framework, organisers hope health officials will be able to benefit from the same forecasting systems already used by farmers and disaster response agencies. The new platform is also expected to support training and capacity building for health professionals, helping them interpret climate forecasts and integrate them into disease surveillance and preparedness planning. The Africa Climate–Health Desk forms part of a broader push worldwide to strengthen climate-informed health systems. International health organisations have increasingly urged governments to integrate climate data into health planning, arguing that early warning systems can save lives by giving communities time to preContinue Reading

]]> c50385e9a152279e42e87469798984e9 https://big3africa.org/?p=5259 Tue, 17 Mar 2026 07:07:19 +0300 Kenya Tightens Waste Rules for Importers TheContinue Reading

]]> 5ba2ea42054b027f52b7c1b0083a4a07 https://big3africa.org/?p=5255 Fri, 13 Mar 2026 12:39:36 +0300 Kenya Busts Ant-Smuggling Ring, Exposing New Threat to Biodiversity Police have arrested a Chinese at JKIA airport in Nairobi for allegedly attempting to smuggle more than 2,000 live queen garden ants out of the country. Zhang Kekun, a 27-year-old Chinese national, was intercepted during routine security screening after officers discovered 2,238 live ants hidden inside test tubes and tissue paper rolls in his luggage. The insects were identified as the giant African harvester ant, Messor cephalotes, a species native to East Africa and known for its large size and distinctive seed-gathering behaviour. Investigators believe the suspect had spent about two weeks in Kenya collecting the ants and may be linked to a broader international network supplying exotic species to collectors abroad. While Kenya is more accustomed to high-profile wildlife crimes involving elephant tusks and rhino horns, the ant seizure highlights an emerging trend in global wildlife trafficking of insects. The unusual cargo was likely destined for enthusiasts involved in the rapidly expanding hobby of ant-keeping, where collectors maintain live colonies in specially designed glass habitats known as formicariums. In recent years, the global market for exotic ants has surged, particularly in Europe and parts of Asia, where hobbyists are fascinated by the insects’ highly organized social structures. A single fertilized queen ant can establish an entire colony numbering in the thousands, making queens especially valuable to collectors. Experts say rare species from Africa, Asia and South America are often traded online through specialist hobbyist forums and marketplaces, sometimes fetching hundreds of dollars each depending on the species. The trade has become so lucrative that traffickers increasingly target countries with rich biodiversity such as Kenya, where insects are abundant and often poorly regulated compared to larger wildlife. Scientists warn that removing large numbers of queen ants from the wild can have far-reaching ecological consequences. Harvester ants such as Messor cephalotes play a crucial role in maintaining healthy ecosystems across Africa’s savannahs and dry forests. By collecting and storing seeds underground, they act as natural dispersers that help regenerate grasses and plants across landscapes. Their tunnelling activities also aerate soil, improve nutrient cycling and support plant growth. Their colonies also provide a vital food source for other species, including birds, reptiles and mammals such as aardvarks and pangolins. Removing reproductive queens can therefore weaken or collapse entire colonies, disrupting ecological processes that help sustain biodiversity. Authorities also warn that illegally exported ants could become invasive if introduced into foreign ecosystems, potentially harming agrContinue Reading

]]> 264c26d87fdf69e40bf5e53c7543fb71 https://big3africa.org/?p=5250 Wed, 11 Mar 2026 12:41:08 +0300 Kenya's Green Shield Against Global Oil Shocks ForContinue Reading

]]> 183cbb16ea7ca7cab6302f9c7728ce4a https://big3africa.org/?p=5237 Tue, 10 Mar 2026 12:16:48 +0300 Red Flags Over Karura Forest Tree Clearing and Government Explanations Confusion has arisen over ongoing tree clearance inside Karura Forest after Environment Cabinet Secretary Deborah Barasa offered a new explanation for the activity, contradicting an earlier statement from the Kenya Forest Service (KFS). This confusion has deepened concerns among conservationists about the fate of Nairobi’s iconic urban forest. The controversy, which erupted after indigenous trees were felled around the forest’s Rangers Village, has taken a new turn following Barasa’s interview. The CS now describes the site as a “24/7 logistics hub” for a new tree nursery. This characterisation differs significantly from the Kenya Forest Service’s initial framing of the area as an “administrative zone” for National Youth Service containers. Friends of Karura Forest (FKF), the community association that co-manages the 1,041-hectare forest with KFS, raised an alarm last week over what it termed “destructive” tree clearance around Rangers Village. The association said numerous indigenous trees had been felled since the weekend, with chainsaw operators and heavy machinery clearing the area. Environment Cabinet Secretary Deborah Barasa, on a national TV interview, talking about the Karura predicament | Courtesy NTV The group, which has co-managed the forest since a landmark 2009 agreement with KFS, said it was not notified of the works despite a recent Joint Management Committee meeting. FKF board member Prof Njoroge Karanja demanded an immediate halt to the clearance. In an initial response on social media, KFS claimed the cleared area falls within its headquarters. However, FKF disputed this, stating the site is approximately one kilometre from the headquarters and “right inside the forest”. The association noted that the KFS headquarters area bordering Kiambu Road spans about 55 hectares and contains ample space for any required facilities. But during her television interview, CS Barasa offered a different justification. She described the project as a “logistics hub” intended to support a new tree nursery as part of the government’s ambitious 15 billion trees programme. While she framed it as nursery infrastructure, conservationists note that tree nurseries typically do not require the kind of heavy machinery and tree removal witnessed over recent days. The Green Belt Movement has also challenged the rationale for establishing a large-scale nursery inside an ecologically sensitive urban forest, arguing that such facilities could be located elsewhere without compromising forest cover. Sections of the Karura forest are being cleared, allegedly for planting seedlings. | Courtesy The current Karura Forest Management Plan (2021-2041) specifically provides for the relocation of Rangers Village to KFS headquarters, with the vacated land to be returned to the indigenous forest. FKF argues the current clearance violates this plan. Conservationists point out that if the project is indeed for a nursery, there should be no reason to conceal plans from co-managers or bypass established consultation processes. The Forest Conservation and Management Act of 2016 explicitly encourage community participation and questions why public participation was not conducted before the current clearance commenced. The Karura confusion comes barely seven months after CS Barasa faced intense parliamentary grilling over a controversial construction of a luxury hotel inside Ngong Forest. It emerged that political influence played a role in the approval of the project. Further investigation revealed that NEMA had not issued any license for the Ngong project, and that the contractor had proceeded with construction without approval, despite claims that the eco-lodge would use only degradable materials. KFS eventually suspended construction pending consultations, but the episode exposed significant gaps in oversight and approvals processes. Karura Forest has long been a target for powerful individuals seeking to grab portions of its 1,041 hectares. The forest was gazetted in 1932, but beginning in the 1990s, it faced systematic encroachment. In 2003, the NARC government moved to revoke dubious land allocations from the KANU era, with developers beginning to relinquish properties after it became clear the new aContinue Reading

]]> aee488f586a2c776433c6454b59de603 https://big3africa.org/?p=5230 Mon, 09 Mar 2026 11:42:14 +0300 Upper Tana Water Fund Marks 10 Years Kenya hasContinue Reading

]]> ebb71c9c8140194d42ac3a42e9c241d4 https://big3africa.org/?p=5223 Mon, 09 Mar 2026 08:41:27 +0300 Kenya Power Energizes Northern Corridor with Voi EV Hub Kenya is rapidly embracing electric mobility, a transformation spearheaded by Kenya Power. The utility is ensuring that the necessary infrastructure is in place to support this green shift, making e-mobility sustainable and accessible. Their commitment includes expanding charging points, crucial for the widespread adoption of electric vehicles. Recent data highlights a significant surge in EV adoption, with electricity consumption for EV charging up 188% in the past year. This growth, from 2.9 million kWh in 2024 to over 8.4 million kWh in 2025, underscores a strong national move towards electric transport. It signals a clear confidence in the viability of EVs for both personal and commercial use across Kenya. Central to this expansion is the strategic rollout of 45 new charging stations across six key counties. Among these, installing a charging point in Voi is particularly significant for the Northern Corridor. This Voi hub will play a vital role in sustaining e-mobility along this crucial transit route, connecting major economic centers. Kenya is rapidly embracing electric mobility, a transformation spearheaded by Kenya Power. | Courtesy This initiative is part of Kenya Power’s broader strategy to establish 10,000 charging stations nationwide by 2030. By leveraging Kenya’s abundant renewable energy sources, the company ensures that EV charging is not only convenient but also environmentally friendly. To further encourage adoption, Kenya Power has introduced a specialized e-mobility tariff, making charging more affordable. David Ungu, Head of E-mobility at Kenya Power, has been a driving force behind this transition. He notes that what was once a distant dream is now a tangible reality, with significant infrastructure deployment underway. His leadership has been instrumental in turning ambitious plans into operational charging networks. Collaboration with private sector partners is also accelerating the integration of charging points into new projects. David Ungu, Head of E-mobility at Kenya Power | Courtesy The Usahihi Nairobi–Mombasa Expressway, a key part of the Northern Corridor, will feature dedicated EV charging hubs. These partnerships are essential for creating a seamless and reliable experience for EV owners on long journeys. The advent of e-mobility in Kenya signifies a major step towards energy independence and environmental protection. Reducing reliance on imported petroleum strengthens the economy and safeguards natural resources. Kenya Power’s dedication to widespread availability ensures that the benefits of this revolution reach every corner of the country. With strategic installations like the Voi charging point, Kenya Power is actively building a greener, more sustainable future. The journey towards electric mobility is gaining momentum, powered by innovation and a clear vision for a cContinue Reading

]]> 923de13cec090066dc1e2be54fbc5e2c https://big3africa.org/?p=5216 Fri, 06 Mar 2026 14:26:43 +0300 Floods Force Partial Closure of Karura Forest, Put Parks on Alert Persistent heavy rains pounding Kenya have begun to disrupt some of the country’s most visited natural spaces, with Karura Forest partially closed after rivers burst their banks. The popular urban forest, managed by the Kenya Forest Service, has shut down several key visitor areas as rising water levels and waterlogged trails create dangerous conditions for walkers, cyclists, and families who frequent the green sanctuary on the edge of Nairobi. Authorities have declared the caves, waterfalls, bridges, and the Ruaka Picnic Site off-limits after swollen rivers spilled over into surrounding trails. Forest officials say the closures are necessary to prevent accidents as the heavy rains continue. “The rivers are swollen, and paths are unsafe,” the Kenya Forest Service said in a safety advisory, urging visitors to avoid riverbanks and respect the temporary restrictions until water levels subside. Karura Forest, one of Nairobi’s most cherished recreational spaces, attracts thousands of visitors each week for jogging, cycling, and nature walks. However, the current flooding has made several sections inaccessible, forcing authorities to prioritize safety over public access. Flooded waters in the Karura forest | Courtesy Officials say the affected areas will remain closed until the rivers recede and safety inspections confirm that trails, bridges and visitor infrastructure are secure again. The flooding in Karura is part of a wider pattern of heavy rainfall currently affecting different parts of the country and placing pressure on Kenya’s protected landscapes. Meteorologists warn that unusually intense rainfall events are becoming more frequent, a trend widely associated with Climate Change, which is amplifying weather extremes across East Africa. Rising temperatures increase evaporation and moisture in the atmosphere, often resulting in heavier downpours that can overwhelm rivers and drainage systems in both urban and rural environments. The impact of the rains is already being felt in several national parks where authorities have issued alerts over flooding and impassable routes. In Tsavo East National Park, the Kenya Wildlife Service has flagged a number of internal roads as inaccessible due to flooded river crossings. Raging waters in the Tsavo due to the ongoing rains | Courtesy The Sala Gate on the Malindi route and areas around Aruba have been affected by rising water levels, forcing park officials to redirect visitors to alternative entry points at the Bachuma and Voi gates. Meanwhile, Nairobi National Park remains open, but several sections have become waterlogged following days of persistent rainfall. Low-lying crossings within the park are particularly vulnerable to sudden flash floods, prompting the Kenya Wildlife Service to warn drivers of smaller vehicles to stick to higher-ground murram roads. Authorities have also placed Amboseli National Park and Hell’s Gate National Park on high alert as heavy rains continue across the region. Hell’s Gate is considered especially vulnerable because its narrow gorges can experience sudden flash floods that arrive without warning, sometimes triggered by rainfall far upstream. Conservation authorities say they are closely monitoring water levels and road conditions across protected areas as the rains persist. For now, visitors and residents are being urged to exercise caution, avoid flooded trails and follow advisories issued by park and forest authoritiesContinue Reading

]]> 072e6b185b643bb1170c71551a9a9d49 https://big3africa.org/?p=5212 Fri, 06 Mar 2026 07:29:45 +0300 KCB Powers Kenya's Green Future with Alliance High School Solar KCB Bank Kenya has firmly committed to accelerating the nation’s clean energy transition. This has been showcased through its significant support for the solarization project at Alliance High School. The project was launched during the school’s centenary celebrations, marking 100 years of academic excellence. This milestone event was graced by Dr. William Samoei Ruto, President of the Republic of Kenya, underscoring the national focus on sustainable infrastructure in education. Annastacia Kimtai, KCB Bank Kenya Managing Director, emphasized the bank’s strategic approach to clean energy financing. She highlighted its role as a catalyst for long-term economic efficiency and environmental stewardship across the country. KCB leverages its financial expertise to unlock new investments in the clean energy sector. This involves de-risking lending and providing flexible financing models, ensuring sustainable and inclusive solarization growth, particularly within learning institutions. The solar installation at Alliance High School is a beacon of renewable energy’s potential. It is expected to significantly enhance energy reliability and reduce operational costs for the institution. This project will substantially lower the school’s carbon footprint. It demonstrates how renewable energy solutions can build resilience in educational environments and contribute to Kenya’s broader climate commitments. President William Ruto at Alliance High School Launching solarization project | Courtesy KCB currently offers a diverse range of clean energy financing options. These include solar-powered cooking systems that also provide lighting, steam-based cooking combined with solar, and LPG for clean cooking alongside solar power. The bank also supports biogas systems, which convert organic waste into energy. These solutions effectively reduce fuel costs and actively promote environmental sustainability within institutions. To date, KCB has successfully financed over 250 schools with solarization and LPG facilities. This extensive reach positions the bank as a key player in Kenya’s greenContinue Reading

]]> 9647766833bde2c2236a22cc5f4a93b7 https://big3africa.org/?p=5206 Fri, 06 Mar 2026 06:27:20 +0300 Treasury Allocates Sh11.2 Billion for Climate Resilience in 46 Counties By Mwangi Ndirangu The National Treasury has allocated Sh11.2 billion to 46 counties to strengthen climate resilience and help communities cope with increasing droughts, floods, and other climate-related disasters. The funds, announced through a Kenya Gazette notice, will be channeled to counties under the County Climate Resilience Investment Grant (CCRIG) programme, part of the broader Financing Locally-Led Climate Action (FLLoCA) initiative that seeks to empower counties and local communities to design their own climate adaptation projects. Treasury officials said the financing will support projects such as water-harvesting systems, climate-smart agriculture, disaster-preparedness infrastructure, and the restoration of degraded ecosystems. The funding combines resources from the Kenyan government and international development partners. The World Bank, through its International Development Association, contributed Sh5.7 billion, while KfW Development Bank of Germany added Sh1.2 billion, with county governments providing Sh4.2 billion in counterpart funding. Treasury said counties will be required to submit detailed implementation plans before accessing the funds and must establish dedicated climate finance structures and separate accounts to ensure transparency. Mangrove replanting at the Kenyan coast | Courtesy Monitoring systems will also require counties to file quarterly progress and financial reports to both the Treasury and development partners. Climate experts say the move is critical as Kenya faces intensifying climate shocks. More than half of Kenya’s counties experience severe climate impacts, including prolonged drought, erratic rainfall and increasing floods. Treasury officials say strengthening resilience at the local level will reduce the economic and humanitarian costs of climate disasters. Under the FLLoCA programme, counties will work with local climate committees comprising community representatives, experts and county officials to identify priority projects. The initiative is part of Kenya’s broader efforts to meet its climate commitments under the Paris Agreement, while ensuring that climate financing reaches communities most vulContinue Reading

]]> d5b230f9bab05759ce3b4393a8efda6d https://big3africa.org/?p=5202 Fri, 06 Mar 2026 05:56:15 +0300 Seven Swept Away by Floods in Makueni as Extreme Rains Renew Climate Concerns By Angelina Ndanu At least seven people have been swept away by floods in Makueni County over the past two weeks, following heavy rains that have also destroyed homes and displaced several families, authorities have confirmed. Local administrators said the victims were carried away by fast-flowing floodwaters while attempting to cross swollen rivers and seasonal streams after intense downpours swept across the semi-arid county. Makueni County Commissioner Duncan Darusi said most of the deaths occurred when residents tried to cross rivers whose water levels had risen rapidly after rainfall upstream. “We have lost seven people in the last two weeks after they were swept away by floods. Most incidents happened when people attempted to cross rivers that had swollen following the heavy rains,” Darusi said. Several houses in low-lying areas were also destroyed after flash floods swept through villages, leaving families in urgent need of humanitarian support. A vehicle swept away by floods after rivers swelled in Makueni County amid ongoing torrential rains. | Courtesy Authorities have urged residents to avoid flooded rivers and remain cautious as rains continue in parts of the county. The incidents come as Kenya experiences increasingly erratic weather patterns linked to climate change, with experts warning that both droughts and intense rainfall events are becoming more frequent. Although Makueni County lies in the country’s dry eastern belt, it has in recent years faced sudden flash floods caused by short bursts of intense rainfall that overwhelm rivers and seasonal streams. Climate scientists say such extreme rainfall episodes are consistent with projections associated with Climate Change, which is expected to increase the intensity of storms across East Africa. According to the Kenya Meteorological Department, many parts of the country are now experiencing more unpredictable rainfall patterns, with dry spells frequently interrupted by intense storms that trigger floods. Flood disasters have become increasingly common across Kenya in recent years, affecting both traditionally wet regions and arid counties. In 2024, widespread floods linked to the El Niño phenomenon killed dozens of people and displaced thousands in counties across the country. Experts say poor land management, deforestation, and settlement in flood-prone areas are worsening the impact of heavy rainfall events. Environmental analysts note that degraded catchments and reduced vegetation cover reduce the land’s ability to absorb rainwater, increasing runoff that quickly turns rivers into dangerous torrents. Disaster response officials say the latest tragedies highlight the need for stronger early warning systems, improved drainage infrastructure, and greater public aContinue Reading

]]> 638eb6f041a902f506a8fa987cd98b48 https://big3africa.org/?p=5192 Fri, 27 Feb 2026 09:44:22 +0300 KenGen Powers Green Safari Rally 2026 The WRCContinue Reading

]]> 05ac15ac42cdb6a767fd3ef7a33d99a1 https://big3africa.org/?p=5195 Fri, 27 Feb 2026 09:30:36 +0300 Kenya Launches 2026–2040 Green Buildings Roadmap Continue Reading

]]> e0fdc7ebf0895ff70c155e8cbc5a62fd https://big3africa.org/?p=5183 Thu, 26 Feb 2026 07:57:16 +0300 Mau Forest Complex Restoration Gathers Pace as 1.2 Million Seedlings Planted The government has planted more than 1.2 million tree seedlings across 1,200 hectares of the Mau Forest Complex under a new restoration programme aimed at reversing years of degradation in Kenya’s largest water tower. Environment and Climate Change Principal Secretary Festus Ng’eno said the Mau Forest Complex Integrated Conservation and Livelihood Improvement Programme (MFC-ICLIP), launched in August last year, was beginning to deliver measurable results. “Since the launch of the programme, we have recorded tangible progress that is reviving hope for the restoration of the Mau Forest Complex,” Ng’eno told stakeholders and development partners during a progress briefing this week. “In Bararget Forest Station, 132 hectares with 130,000 tree seedlings is my adopted block, symbolising leadership by example and sustained stewardship,” he said. Environment and Climate Change Principal Secretary Festus Ng’eno at the Mau Forest Complex restoration event | Courtesy Ng’eno added that youth- and women-led tree nurseries had been established to supply seedlings, boosting local enterprise while securing critical inputs for restoration. The programme targets the restoration of at least 3,300 hectares within three months during the long rains expected between March and May 2026. The Principal Secretary said conservation efforts were being integrated with livelihood support for surrounding communities. “In our firm belief that conservation must go hand in hand with improved livelihoods, this first edition is already supporting the growth of climate-smart enterprises in the dairy, potato, pyrethrum, avocado, and beekeeping value chains through diverse interventions,” he said. The Mau Forest Complex, East Africa’s largest montane forest, feeds at least 12 major rivers that sustain some of the region’s most important lakes. Rivers flowing west, including the Mara, Sondu, Nyando, Yala, Nzoia, and Gucha–Migori systems, drain into Lake Victoria, the continent’s largest freshwater lake and a lifeline for millions across Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania. Lake Victoria also feeds the Nile River, whose waters support millions of people across 11 countries up to Egypt and the Mediterranean Sea. These are Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, South Sudan, Sudan, Ethiopia, Eritrea, and Egypt. To the south, the Ewaso Ng’iro South River flows into Lake Natron in northern Tanzania. Northward, the Kerio and Turkwel rivers empty into Lake Turkana, the world’s largest desert lake. Within Kenya’s Rift Valley basin, rivers such as the Molo and Perkerra drain into Lake Baringo. Together, these river systems give Mau a strategic ecological role as a transboundary water tower whose health directly affects regional water security, agriculture, hydropower, and biodiversity. Officials say restoring the Mau is not only critical for water security and climate resilience but also for sustaining tourism in the Maasai Mara, one of the world’s most iconic wildlife destinations. The Mau Forest Complex is one of Kenya’s five major water towers in Kenya and has faced decades of encroachment, illegal logging, and settlement, leading to significant forest cover loss. The government says the new Mau restoration programme is designed to reverse that trend while ensuring that conservation delivers direct economic benefits to local communities. Other water towers in Kenya besides the Mau Forest Complex are Mount Kenya, Aberdare RangeContinue Reading

]]> 73e1da759496a0bef21f44faa9877f42 https://big3africa.org/?p=5178 Tue, 24 Feb 2026 05:00:00 +0300 Kenya Climate Action Faces KSh3.4 Billion Funding Gap Kenya’s climate leadership narrative is facing fresh scrutiny after the State DContinue Reading

]]> b8d10b39402d6c370929b10b40ffdf09 https://big3africa.org/?p=5174 Mon, 23 Feb 2026 14:51:12 +0300 Kenya Red Cross Calls for Climate Policy Overhaul Climate-induced disasters in Kenya are now a permanent humanitarian condition requiring urgent policy reforms, the Kenya Red Cross (KRC) has said in a new policy brief. The humanitarian agency warns that droughts, floods, and other climate-related shocks are now occurring every two years, and in some cases overlapping, placing millions of Kenyans in repeated cycles of crisis. According to data cited in the brief from the National Drought Management Authority (NDMA), more than two million people are projected to face acute food insecurity by early 2026 in arid and semi-arid lands (ASALs), following poor rainfall seasons. Analysis by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification shows that 1.8 million people were already experiencing high levels of acute food insecurity between July and September 2025, with numbers expected to rise. “Climate-driven shocks in Kenya and the larger Horn of Africa are no longer once-in-a-large-crisis events but a humanitarian constant,” the KRC brief states. The organization notes that the October–December rains, which contribute up to 70 percent of annual rainfall in some parts of the country, have become increasingly unreliable. Forecasts from the IGAD Climate Prediction and Applications Centre have consistently projected heightened climate variability and drought risk across the region. Past photo of RedCross personnel on duty | Courtesy Despite improved forecasting systems and early warning mechanisms, the brief says humanitarian response systems remain largely reactive. “Even though warning mechanisms and seasonal weather forecast systems are quite predictable at predicting climate disaster risks several months before they happen, humanitarian funding and response support systems are often triggered only after crisis thresholds are achieved,” the report notes. KRC argues that anticipatory action, where funding is automatically released once agreed climate triggers are met, is more cost-effective and reduces human suffering compared to emergency responses after disasters strike. Evidence from the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies shows that pre-disaster financing lowers long-term humanitarian expenditure and protects livelihoods before they collapse. The KRC brief also highlights a disconnect between climate science and financing frameworks. While early warning systems are considered sufficiently advanced, funding mechanisms remain tied to short-term emergency appeals, limiting investments in preparedness and resilience. Kenya’s macroeconomic outlook shows relative stability, with inflation declining and GDP projected to grow steadily between 2025 and 2027. However, poverty levels remain high, leaving nearly 40 percent of the population vulnerable to sudden shocks. The government has formally recognized climate change as the “fifth threat to national security,” requiring integration of disaster risk reduction into development planning. KRC calls for institutionalizing anticipatory action within national climate governance frameworks, aligning climate financing with long-term and flexible instruments, and strengthening locally led preparedness in ASAL counties. The brief also urges faster passage of the National Disaster Risk Management Bill 2023 to establish a predictable national disaster fund. In addition, the organization recommends integrating ecosystem protection, including rangeland and water resource restoration, into humanitarian risk reduction strategies. Beyond technical reforms, the brief calls for a shift in humanitarian diplomacy to address ethical questions of prioritization and burden-sharing in what it describes as a “permanent climate crisis.” “The decisive policy issue is not whether humanitarian systems should change,” the report concludes, “but whether they will change in time before the next expected disaster is experienced.” The Kenya Red Cross warns that without reforms, Kenya risks remaining trapped in a costly cycle of emergency appeals, temporary relief and recurring humanitarian crises as climate change intensifiContinue Reading

]]> c950cdc18dd10c545392fe74f8a45250 https://big3africa.org/?p=5167 Mon, 23 Feb 2026 14:15:08 +0300 Lake Victoria Tanganyika Climate Pact RegionalContinue Reading

]]> f9f999cb100bb00801223aaf134b2170 https://big3africa.org/?p=5162 Fri, 20 Feb 2026 10:02:29 +0300 How Planting Right Trees in Right Places can Help Kenya Tackle Rising Heat The scorching January–February heat has turned Nairobi’s streets into a simmering oven. Commuters flap makeshift fans in crowded matatus, drivers crank their car ACs to the max, and office workers pry open windows, hoping for even a whisper of relief from the relentless heat. In Embakasi, the morning sun presses down on tin-roofed homes, turning rooms into stifling boilers before the day has even begun. In Pipeline and Githurai, boda boda riders huddle under the sparse trees that offer the only patches of shade, wiping sweat from their brows. As Nairobi bakes under relentless heat, scientists say that when the right species of trees are planted in the right spots, they can turn streets and neighbourhoods into natural air-conditioned havens. A recent analysis published on the global disaster risk platform PreventionWeb shows that well-planned urban tree cover can lower street-level temperatures by as much as 12°C in some cities. But the cooling effect depends on species choice, urban design and local climate conditions. For Nairobi and other rapidly growing Kenyan cities, the findings land at a critical moment when Kenya is experiencing more frequent and intense heat episodes. The Kenya Meteorological Department has warned of rising average temperatures, particularly in urban areas where concrete, asphalt and iron-sheet roofs trap heat, a phenomenon known as the urban heat island effect. Unlike rural areas with open soils and vegetation, cities absorb and retain heat during the day, releasing it slowly at night. The result is restless sleep, higher electricity bills for air conditioning and increased health risks, particularly for the elderly, children and people with cardiovascular conditions. Globally, nearly half a million deaths each year are linked to heat-related causes. Nairobi aerial shot showing green spaces | Courtesy In densely populated estates like Mukuru, Mathare and Kibra, where ventilation is limited and tree cover sparse, the risks are compounded. Yet a short drive across town reveals a different reality. In parts of Runda or Gigiri, tree-lined avenues offer natural shade. Temperatures feel milder, even at peak afternoon hours, thanks to tree canopy cover. According to the PreventionWeb report, trees cool cities in three powerful ways. First, they provide shade, blocking direct sunlight from heating buildings, roads and pavements. Second, through a process known as evapotranspiration, where trees release moisture from their leaves, which absorbs heat from the surrounding air, much like sweat cools the human body. Third, they influence airflow, reducing heat stagnation in built-up zones. But experts caution that not all trees provide equal cooling. The PreventionWeb report highlights that in hot, humid climates, similar to parts of coastal Kenya, well-placed trees can significantly lower daytime temperatures. However, in some settings, dense canopies may trap heat at night if airflow is restricted. This is where urban planning becomes critical. In Kenya, tree planting campaigns are common. Every rainy season, institutions, schools and community groups plant thousands of seedlings. The national government has set an ambitious target of growing 15 billion trees by 2032. President William Ruto has framed tree planting as both a climate action and an economic opportunity. But urban ecologists say the success of such efforts will depend on more than numbers. Indigenous species adapted to local climates tend to survive longer and require less water. In Nairobi, species such as croton, podo, and certain acacias offer broad canopies and resilience. Exotic ornamental trees, while attractive, may not always provide optimal shade or drought tolerance. Equally important is where trees are planted. The PreventionWeb report says that planting along highways alone will not cool informal settlements. Nor will trees in gated communities address heat stress in densely populated estates. Cooling benefits increase significantly when canopy cover rises beyond minimal levels, suggesting that fragmented planting efforts may have a limited impact. The Nairobi Arboretum is part of the green spaces in Nairobi city in Kenya | Courtesy The report also reveals that heat is not felt equally. International research cited in the report found that wealthier neighbourhoods consistently have more tree cover than low-income ones. The same pattern is visible in Nairobi. In Eastlands, where housing density is high and green space is limited, daytime heat can feel suffocating. Meanwhile, estates with established trees enjoy cooler microclimates. The implications go beyond comfort. Excessive heat increases dehydration risks, worsens respiratory conditions and reduces worker productivity. For informal traders selling vegetables by the roadside or mechanics working under direct sun, shade can mean the difference between a tolerable day and a dangerous one. Beyond cooling, trees also absorb carbon dioxide, helping mitigate climate change. Their roots stabilise soils and improve water absorption, reducing flash flooding during heavy rains, another climate-linked challenge Kenya has faced repeatedly. During the 2024 floods that displaced thousands in Nairobi and other counties, areas with vegetation were less prone to rapid runoff than heavily paved zones. This means that by integrating tree planting with drainage planning, cities can tackle both heat and flood risks simultaneously. One of the biggest challenges in Kenya is not planting trees; it is keeping them alive. Many seedlings planted during public drives fail within months due to poor aftercare, grazing or water stress. Experts argue that urban forestry must shift from ceremonial planting days to long-term maintenance programs. As Nairobi expands toward satellite towns, planners face a choice: build expanses of concrete, or integrate green corridors from the outset. The science is clear. Trees can reduce extreme heat exposure, lower energy demand for cooling, and improve mental well-being. But they must be thoughtfully selected and equitably distributed. Back in Embakasi, a group of residents recently planted shade trees along a dusty footpath near a primary school. The seedlings are still small, barely reaching waist height. They offer little relief now. But in ten or fifteen years, if protected, they could transform the microclimate of that stree,t cooling classrooms, shading vendors and softContinue Reading

]]> 5583dc93705c84d8e5ccd324b2ca567b https://big3africa.org/?p=5155 Fri, 20 Feb 2026 08:55:46 +0300 Murang’a Launches Digital Soil Testing to Boost Farm Yields By Mwangi Ndirangu For years, Jane Wanjiku has watched her maize harvest shrink. On her small farm in Kabati, Murang’a County, the rains still come, sometimes too hard, sometimes too late, and she applies fertiliser as she always has. Yet each season, the bags she carries home from the field have become fewer and fewer. “We are using more fertiliser than before, but harvesting less,” she says, echoing a frustration shared by many farmers across the county. Agricultural experts say the problem may not lie in the effort farmers are putting in, but beneath their feet. It is for this reason that the County Government of Murang’a is launching a major exercise to diagnose soil health, a move officials say could directly address the declining yields farmers have been reporting. Digital soil testing | Courtesy In preparation for the countywide exercise, which will cover all 35 wards, the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organisation (KALRO), in collaboration with the county government, launched a training programme for agricultural extension officers, IT officers and agripreneurs ahead of a Digital Soil Fertility Mapping Exercise scheduled to begin on February 23, 2026. Murang’a is known for tea, coffee, bananas and vegetable farming. But years of continuous cultivation, limited organic replenishment and reliance on blanket fertiliser recommendations have taken a toll. Agricultural officers say many soils have become increasingly acidic, reducing the effectiveness of fertilisers and limiting plants’ ability to absorb nutrients. In such conditions, farmers may apply more fertiliser without seeing proportional gains. “The soil might be lacking specific nutrients or suffering from acidity, but farmers are applying general fertiliser blends,” said an official involved in the programme. “Without proper diagnosis, it becomes expensive guesswork.” The digital soil fertility mapping exercise seeks to replace that guesswork with science. Under the initiative, trained officers will collect soil samples across the county and analyse them using geospatial technology to produce ward-level fertility maps. These maps will show nutrient deficiencies, acidity levels and other soil characteristics. For farmers like Wanjiku, the implications could be significant. Instead of applying standard fertiliser formulas, they will receive site-specific recommendations tailored to their farm’s needs, such as adding lime to correct acidity, increasing organic matter, or adjusting nutrient ratios. Experts say this precision approach could lower input costs, improve crop uptake of nutrients and gradually restore soil health and high yields. Digital soil testing | Courtesy The implications stretch beyond farm productivity. Over-application of fertilisers contributes to nutrient runoff into rivers and groundwater, especially in highland areas prone to heavy rainfall. This can degrade aquatic ecosystems and affect water quality. By aligning fertiliser use with actual soil requirements, officials hope to reduce nutrient losses and environmental pollution. Healthy soils also play a role in climate mitigation. Soils rich in organic matter store carbon, helping reduce greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere. Degraded soils, in contrast, release carbon and retain less water. Improving soil structure and fertility also enhances water retention, reducing vulnerability to drought and curbing erosion during heavy rains, both of which have become more frequent in recent years. The training of extension officers and IT personnel is designed to ensure accurate sampling, digital data management and effective communication with farmers. Agripreneurs are expected to help translate soil data into practical solutions, including supplying appropriate soil amendments and advisory services. County officials say the data collected will also guide agricultural planning, targeted soil correction programmes and climate-smart agriculture initiatives. For farmers grappling with shrinking harvests, the exercise represents cautious optimism. “If we understand our soils better, maybe we can farm better,” said Njuguna Waruingi, a farmer in Mugoiri during a recent training sensitisaContinue Reading

]]> 77bc36a2740ad091ba3638f74a732f9b https://big3africa.org/?p=5147 Thu, 19 Feb 2026 15:50:20 +0300 Kenya Launches Plastic Circular Investment Drive Continue Reading

]]> c8ca1f1b6cfc23c1e6fd1950b6d73891 https://big3africa.org/?p=5143 Thu, 19 Feb 2026 08:35:10 +0300 Green Fertiliser Factory Eyes Carbon Credits for Kenya Climate Goals By Mwangi Ndirangu Kenya’s push to position itself as a continental leader in carbon markets has received a major boost from a Sh107 billion green fertiliser project in Naivasha, which plans to generate and sell carbon credits in international compliance markets. The proposed project, backed by Kenya Electricity Generating Company PLC (KenGen) in Naivasha, will produce green ammonia using geothermal power, avoiding the heavy carbon emissions associated with conventional fertiliser manufacturing that relies on fossil fuels. But beyond fertiliser production, the project’s most strategic asset may be its carbon credits tradable units representing verified reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. Carbon credits are generated when a project demonstrably reduces or removes carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions compared to a baseline scenario. Each credit represents one tonne of CO₂ equivalent avoided or removed from the atmosphere. These credits can then be sold to governments or companies seeking to meet climate obligations. According to project filings, the KenGen-backed factory is expected to avoid about 600,000 tonnes of CO₂ equivalent annually. That scale of reduction places it among the largest industrial decarbonisation initiatives in the region. The credits will be traded under Article 6.2 of the Paris climate framework, governed by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). UNFCCC Article 6.2 allows countries to trade emission reductions directly through bilateral agreements, creating what are known as Internationally Transferred Mitigation Outcomes (ITMOs). Unlike voluntary carbon markets, where companies buy credits largely for corporate climate pledges, Article 6.2 credits can be used by countries to meet their legally binding climate targets under the Paris Agreement. That distinction makes them potentially more valuable and more tightly regulated. Kenya has committed to cutting greenhouse gas emissions by 32 percent below business-as-usual levels by 2030. While the country’s emissions are relatively low compared to industrialised nations, its vulnerability to climate change is high. Industrial projects powered by renewable energy offer Kenya a dual opportunity of supporting domestic economic growth while earning foreign exchange through carbon trading. By using geothermal energy to power ammonia production, the Naivasha project sidesteps the carbon-intensive Haber-Bosch process typically fueled by natural gas. Geothermal energy, which Kenya has in abundance in the Rift Valley, produces minimal emissions compared to fossil fuels. The fertiliser plant will source about 165 megawatts of geothermal electricity over 30 years, locking in a low-carbon production model. That long-term clean energy arrangement is central to the credibility of its carbon credits. The KenGen-backed fertiliser project’s decision to target compliance markets under Article 6.2 signals a strategic shift toward more formalised, government-aligned carbon trading mechanisms. Compliance markets generally require rigorous measurement, reporting, and verification (MRV) standards, reducing the risk of disputed or low-quality credits. For Kenya, this could help restore confidence in its carbon market framework while attracting institutional investors. Globally, heavy industry, including fertiliser production, accounts for a significant share of greenhouse gas emissions. Decarbonising such sectors is therefore critical to limiting global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. Green ammonia projects are increasingly seen as part of that transition. When powered by renewable energy, ammonia production can become nearly carbon-neutral. In some global markets, green ammonia is also being explored as a shipping fuel and hydrogen carrier. By integrating geothermal power with industrial manufacturing, Kenya is positioning itself at the intersection of climate finance and green industrialisation. The project’s carbon crediting period is expected to run for an initial 10 years, with potential renewals extending up to 30 years. Over that period, revenues from credit sales could provide a steady income stream alongside fertiliser production profits. For farmers, local fertiliser production could reduce reliance on imports and cushion price volatility driven by global energy markets. For the climate, replacing fossil-fuel-based fertiliser with green ammonia lowers lifecycleContinue Reading

]]> ca6e4ccff73bda7d75dc3ca8f44cdc90 https://big3africa.org/?p=5138 Wed, 18 Feb 2026 11:47:28 +0300 Reversing Desertification A Green Blueprint for Kenya China’s remarkable success in transforming the Taklamakan Desert into a carbon sink offers a powerful blueprint for Kenya’s own battle against desertification. By planting billions of trees, China has not only halted the desert’s advance but also created a massive carbon sink, demonstrating that even the most arid landscapes can be revitalized. This achievement provides valuable lessons for Kenya as it confronts its own environmental challenges, where nearly 45 percent of the land is affected by desertification. Just as China faced the threat of expanding deserts, Kenya is grappling with significant land degradation and its impact on communities. The success of China’s “Great Green Wall” underscores the importance of large-scale, sustained afforestation efforts. For Kenya, this means prioritizing and investing in ambitious tree-planting initiatives, similar to the national goal of planting 15 billion trees by 2032 to achieve a 30 percent forest cover. One of the key takeaways from China’s project is the critical role of government leadership and long-term commitment. The Three-North Shelterbelt Program, initiated in 1978, has been a multi-decade endeavor, highlighting that environmental restoration is a marathon, not a sprint. Kenya’s political will and consistent policy implementation will be paramount to the success of its own green ambitions, moving beyond one-off events to sustained national programs. Vegetation cover around the Taklamakan Desert has grown, boosting photosynthesis and CO2 sequestration. | Image credit: CFOTO/Future Publishing via Getty Images Furthermore, China’s approach involved more than just planting trees; it integrated ecological restoration with economic development, creating green jobs and fostering a new environmental consciousness. Kenya can adopt a similar model, empowering local communities to participate in and benefit from afforestation projects. This creates a sense of ownership and ensures the long-term sustainability of these initiatives, particularly in arid and semi-arid lands (ASALs). China’s journey also offers a crucial lesson in adapting to local conditions and avoiding pitfalls. While the scale of China’s project is immense, the selection of appropriate tree species is vital to avoid issues like invasive species, a challenge Kenya has faced with the “mathenge” tree. Kenya can tailor these strategies to its unique ecological zones, ensuring that its afforestation efforts are both effective and resilient. By embracing the lessons from China’s success, Kenya can turn the tide against desertification, enhance its carbon sequestration capacity, and build a more sustainable and prosperous future for its people. The path is challenging, but as China has shown, with vision, commitment, and collective action, a greener tomorrow is within reach. This transformation is not just about the environment; it is about securing the future of Kenyan agriculture and waterContinue Reading

]]> aaf9c62a58b84ed78759913fe30dff9e https://big3africa.org/?p=5129 Tue, 17 Feb 2026 08:18:45 +0300 Women Restore Jomvu Creek Through Sustainable Crab Farming By Asha Bekidusa A five-minute climb from the tidal flats of Jomvu Creek in Mombasa County, the scent of salt and mangrove mud lingers in the morning air. Inside a modest hall overlooking the creek, laughter rises above the hum of conversation. The gathering resembles a typical women’s chama. But here, discussions are less about loans and more about tides, crab feed, mangrove seedlings and cage repairs. These women, aged between 35 and 60, are members of Jomvu Women in Fisheries and Culture, a community-based organisation reshaping both livelihoods and the fragile ecosystem that sustains them. At the heart of their work lies an unlikely yet increasingly significant venture: mud crab farming directly linked to mangrove conservation. Four years ago, most of them earned a precarious living as mama karanga, frying fish over charcoal stoves near landing beaches. Others sold fresh fish or stayed home caring for children and grandchildren. But dwindling fish stocks in the creek, rising temperatures and the health hazards of daily exposure to smoke made survival uncertain. “When fish became scarce, so did our income,” says Charity Baya, the group’s chairperson. “We realised we needed something sustainable, one that would also protect the environment we depend on.” In 2021, an opportunity arrived through a blue-economy grant under the Kenya Marine Fisheries and Socio-Economic Development (KEMFSED) project. With training in small-business management and sustainable fisheries, the women drafted a proposal to venture into mud crab fattening, an approach that adds value to wild crabs without overharvesting. Jomvu women undertaking the crab farming business | By Asha Bekidusa Nearly half of the original 30 members withdrew, unsure whether women juggling households could manage an unfamiliar aquaculture enterprise. But fourteen women, joined by three supportive “male champions,” pressed on. Their persistence paid off after they secured KES 2.7 million to establish a crab-fattening operation and construct a mangrove boardwalk through the creek. The group farms mud crabs (Scylla serrata), a prized species known locally as mangrove crab. The crustaceans thrive in brackish tidal creeks and fetch high market prices due to their sweet, firm flesh. Rather than intensively farming from hatchlings, the women collect juvenile wild crabs and fatten them in repurposed plastic crates anchored in the mangrove-lined creek. Each cage holds two crabs. The group manages about 30 cages tethered carefully against the pull of the tides. The crabs feed on small fish, shrimp and marine snails harvested sustainably from nearby waters. Feeding happens when high tide submerges the cages, following a disciplined schedule learned through trial and training. Within six to eight weeks, a 300-gram crab grows to nearly a kilogram. The harvest sells to local distributors and aquaculture partners at around KES 900 per kilo. In a good month, the women collectively earn roughly KES 40,000, a modest income, but transformative compared to their former hand-to-mouth existence. For Mwanasiti Mwaka Chirima, once a fish fryer for three decades, the shift has also been about health. “I coughed all day from smoke,” she says. “The doctor warned me. Now I work in the open air.” Yet beyond income, the group’s true investment is ecological, as from the outset, crab farming was tied to mangrove restoration. Over four years, the women have planted nearly one million mangrove seedlings along the creek’s muddy banks. Mangroves are ecological powerhouses through their intricate root systems that trap sediment, stabilise shorelines, filter pollutants, and provide nurseries for juvenile fish and crustaceans. “If the mangroves disappear, everything disappears,” Baya says. “The crabs, the fish and our future.” The relationship between mangroves and mud crabs is symbiotic. Crabs burrow into the mud, aerating soil and aiding seedling establishment. Mangroves, in turn, provide food, shade and shelter for crabs. By restoring the forest, the women strengthen the very habitat their enterprise depends on. Crab farming in Jomvu, Kenyan coast | Asha Bekidusa There have been setbacks. Three weeks after launching, powerful tides tore loose their anchored cages, sweeping them nearly two kilometers away. The crates were recovered empty. Theft has occasionally forced them to keep night watch. And the plastic crates, originally designed for transporting bread, degrade quickly in salty water, raising concerns about long-term waste. But adaptive learning has become part of their conservation ethic. They reinforced anchoring systems, improved monitoring routines and continue exploring better cage materials. Their daily interactions with tides, salinity, and mangrove growth have sharpened their ecological awareness. “We check water clarity, we observe when tides are strongest,” says Doris Mwachai, another member. “We have learned to read the creek.” Climate change adds urgency. Rising sea levels, shifting tidal patterns and warming waters threaten mangrove ecosystems along Kenya’s coast. Overharvesting wild crabs before maturity compounds pressure on already stressed habitats. Crab fattening offers a middle ground, reducing waste and allowing crabs to reach optimal market size before sale. David Mirera, principal research scientist at the Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute (KMFRI), says such initiatives reflect a shift toward sustainable coastal livelihoods. “Before, fishers kept crabs for days and many died before sale,” he notes. “Caging them in their natural habitat reduces post-harvest losses and maintains ecological balance.” KMFRI is supporting hatchery development to reduce reliance on wild juveniles, a move that could further protect natural crab populations. Busolo Bonface, a mariculture and environmental conservation adviser, says the Jomvu project remains small-scale and environmentally light. “Nutrient load is minimal, and the presence of marine snails indicates good water quality,” he explains. However, he cautions that expansion would require clear environmental guidelines to prevent pollution and plastic waste. Parallel to crab farming, the women are constructing a 180-meter wooden boardwalk through the mangrove forest. Once complete, it will serve both as access to crab cages and as an eco-tourism corridor. Visitors, including students, researchers, and tourists, will learn about mangrove ecology, sustainable fisherie,s and women’s leadership in conservation. “We want people to see how women are protecting this creek,” Baya says. Across Kenya’s coast, women have long formed the backbone of fisheries value chains, drying, frying and selling fish, yet are rarely recognized as environmental stewards or entrepreneurs. Networks like Coastal Women in Fisheries Entrepreneurship now connect thousands of women to training and credit, amplifying initiatives like Jomvu’s. As the tide rises each afternoon, the barefoot women wade in to check their stock. Each crab that fattens, each seedling that takes root, represents more than income. It is proof that restoring ecosystems and sustaining livelihoods can advance together. “If the mangroves die, the crabs go,” Baya says quietly. “And if the crabs go, so do we.” In Jomvu Creek, conservation has become both shield and strategy, a testament to how community stewardship can nurture resilience along Kenya’s vulnerable coast. This article has been republished from Mongabay: https://news.mongabay.com/2026/02/in-kenyas-jomvu-creek-women-help-restore-a-Continue Reading

]]> 6929a2eed6768232583aaba51a045d64 https://big3africa.org/?p=5117 Tue, 17 Feb 2026 07:44:34 +0300 IFC’s Investments in New Gas Projects Are Destroying Africa By Karabo Mokgonyana As Africa confronts escalating climate shocks, rising debt, and widespread energy poverty, the World Bank’s private-sector arm, the International Finance Corporation (IFC), is advancing new fossil gas projects on the continent. These approvals expose a troubling contradiction within global climate finance. At a time when Africa contributes the least to global emissions yet suffers the worst impacts, development finance should accelerate clean energy solutions. Instead, the IFC is backing fossil gas infrastructure framed as “pragmatic” and “transitional.” One project is the US$100 million Sahara LPG initiative. It will finance new liquefied petroleum gas storage terminals in Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya, and Tanzania, alongside trade finance facilities supporting fossil fuel distribution. The second is Senegal’s Cap des Biches gas conversion project, which seeks to convert a thermal plant from heavy fuel oil to liquefied natural gas (LNG). Both projects are presented as development-friendly energy upgrades. But gas by another name is still gas. LPG and LNG require long-term infrastructure, lock countries into volatile global import markets, and divert scarce capital from renewable systems better suited to Africa’s needs. The Sahara LPG project represents a regional fossil fuel logistics expansion. New terminals in Tema, Apapa, Mombasa, and Dar es Salaam would deepen fossil fuel dependency in already congested and environmentally stressed industrial zones. Meanwhile, more than 600 million Africans lack electricity, many in rural areas where decentralized solar and wind solutions are faster and cheaper to deploy. Gas infrastructure does little to address this structural access gap. Transparency surrounding these projects has also been limited. Communities near ports, pipelines, and power plants appear to have received minimal information and limited opportunity for meaningful consultation. Disclosure documents are technical and often inaccessible. In Senegal, the Cap des Biches plant sits just 500 metres from nearby communities, yet clarity around early-stage consultation remains unclear. This approach appears inconsistent with the IFC’s own Performance Standards, which require inclusive, timely, and iterative engagement with affected communities. Equally concerning is the trade finance component of the Sahara LPG project. By risk-participating in large trade finance facilities, the IFC can indirectly support fossil fuel expansion with less scrutiny than traditional project finance. Trade finance often obscures end use and fragments accountability. It enables institutions to claim climate alignment while continuing to underwrite fossil fuel supply chains through financial back channels. For African economies already grappling with debt distress and foreign exchange pressures, this model increases exposure to volatile LNG markets and long-term contractual obligations. Supporters argue that converting from heavy fuel oil to LNG reduces emissions. While marginally cleaner, LNG remains a fossil fuel with long-lived infrastructure that risks crowding out renewables and battery storage. Africa does not lack renewable potential. It lacks scaled financing, political commitment, and fair access to capital. Every dollar directed toward new gas terminals or LNG infrastructure is a dollar not invested in mini-grids, solar farms, wind projects, or grid modernization. The primary beneficiaries of these projects are private corporations and international financiers. Companies such as Sahara Energy, Société Générale, ContourGlobal, and KKR gain de-risked investment opportunities. Communities, however, inherit environmental risks, safety concerns, and economic exposure. This socialization of risk and privatization of profit mirrors a familiar development pattern. The timing of disclosures also raises concern. Information was released near holiday periods, with board approvals scheduled soon after, limiting space for civil society engagement. Civil society groups, including Don’t Gas Africa and The Big Shift Global, have submitted formal objections. Their concerns reflect a broader demand for energy systems aligned with climate justice and economic resilience. Africa is not asking for charity. It is asking for coherence, accountability, and investment aligned with a just energy transition. If development finance institutions are serious about the Paris Agreement, they cannot continue expanding fossil gas under the banner of pragmatism. Africa deserves clean, democratic, and future-oriented energy systems. The Sahara LPG and Cap des Biches projects are signals. Right now, the signal suggests fossil fuel lock-in at the very moment Africa needs renewable acceleration. Africa’s energy future should be built on resilience and equity, not quietly mortgaged through gas contracts approved behiContinue Reading

]]> 683cf011698743afa522dc3c610cf3c5 https://big3africa.org/?p=5116 Mon, 16 Feb 2026 16:10:15 +0300 Kenya Launches 10-Year Strategy to Reclaim Land from Toxic Mathenge Weed Across Kenya’s drylands, an unrelenting green tide has been silently strangling livelihoods, landscapes, and biodiversity, thanks to Prosopis juliflora (Mathenge), a thorny, fast-growing tree species that has spread far beyond its original purpose. The plant was introduced in Kenya decades ago as a remedy for creeping desertification, providing tree cover and preventing soil erosion in drylands, as well as a source of fuel and animal fodder. The UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the government actively encouraged its planting. The Kenya Forestry Research Institute (Kefri) estimates it has encroached on 2 million hectares (7,700 sq miles), spreading at a rate of up to 15% a year across 22 counties, choking grazing lands, blocking waterways, and forcing farmers and pastoralists to reckon with its consequences. The affected counties are Turkana, Tana-River, Garissa, Isiolo, Marsabit, Kajiado, Taita-Taveta, Baringo, Kilifi, Samburu, Mandera, Wajir, Kwale, Lamu, Tharaka-Nithi, Meru, Mombasa, Migori, Kitui, West-Pokot, Laikipia, and Narok. For communities living in affected areas, mathenge has become more than an ecological nuisance as it is a direct threat to their survival. Families have watched grazing lands shrink as dense thickets push out native grasses, livestock struggle with painful thorns and dental damage from sugary seed pods, and water access points become clogged by thick stands of the plant that consumes large amounts of water and alters soil conditions. In 2008, Kenya declared Mathenge to be a noxious weed and passed laws requiring people to clear invasions of the plant or report them if the infestation was unmanageable. But the battle against the invasive mathenge has largely been local and uncoordinated. Counties tried various ad hoc methods, from mechanical clearing to small-scale utilisation projects, often limited by lack of funds, coordination, and technical support. In some areas, organisations like the KEFRI and local governments piloted efforts to turn mathenge into usable resources, such as charcoal, livestock fodder, honey products, and artisan goods, creating short-term jobs and income in Turkana and Tana River. But these efforts were often isolated, short-lived, and unable to stem the plant’s rapid spread, which experts estimate can grow 4–15 % annually in affected zones. To get a long-lasting solution, Kenya has finally officially unveiled the National Strategy and Action Plan for the Management and Control of Prosopis (2025–2035), a first-of-its-kind nationwide blueprint to tackle the mathenge challenge systematically. Unlike earlier uncoordinated efforts, the new plan emphasises a phased, regulated and science-informed approach that marries ecological restoration with economic opportunity. By establishing clear frameworks for early detection and rapid response, the strategy aims to stop mathenge from invading new areas, a key gap in past approaches. Priority zones will be identified for targeted clearing, using mechanical, chemical, and biological methods where appropriate. Eradication is coupled with restoration of those landscapes using indigenous species to revive soil health and biodiversity. Rather than seeing mathenge solely as a menace, the strategy also seeks to convert cleared biomass into value-added products like biochar, briquettes, and livestock feed, boosting local enterprise and creating jobs. Early estimates suggest this could generate billions in economic value annually if well-regulated and integrated into local markets. The strategy is linked to recent forestry and climate policies, such as the Forest Conservation and Management Act and Charcoal Regulations, setting up a legal and institutional environment that better supports long-term action. By pairing restoration with livelihood pathways, the new strategy recognises that ecological health and economic resilience must go hand in hand, a shift from earlier efforts that prioritised control without inContinue Reading

]]> 1fb4e8d3115189eabfcc9b37346a4088 https://big3africa.org/?p=5115 Mon, 16 Feb 2026 05:00:00 +0300 Kenya Unveils Carbon Registry, Opening Door to New Climate Investments Kenya has taken a major step in its fight against climate change with the launch of the Kenya National Carbon Registry (KNCR). KNCR is a digital system designed to track the country’s carbon emissions and manage carbon credit projects and is expected to help Kenya track its progress in cutting emissions and strengthening climate resilience, while attracting funding to meet its climate goals. Environment Principal Secretary Festus Ng’eno has described the registry as a turning point in how Kenya accounts for pollution and participates in global climate markets. The carbon registry works like a national ledger that records projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, such as tree planting, renewable energy installations, or clean cooking initiatives. It also verifies how much carbon pollution these projects prevent or remove from the atmosphere. Once verified, these reductions can be converted into carbon credits, which companies or countries can buy to offset their own emissions. Government officials say the registry will be rolled out in phases, beginning with onboarding project developers and training stakeholders on how to use the platform. If implemented effectively, the KNCR could position Kenya as a regional leader in carbon markets, unlocking climate finance at a time when developing countries are demanding greater support to adapt to a warming world. For local communities, this could translate into more tree-planting projects that pay farmers and community groups, investment in clean energy such as solar mini-grids in rural areas, support for sustainable agriculture practices and new green jobs for youth. Climate finance experts say the registry gives Kenya credibility in carbon trading by providing evidence that emission reductions are real, a major criterion for investors. Although Kenya contributes only a tiny fraction of global greenhouse gas emissions, it is highly vulnerable to climate shocks such as prolonged droughts, erratic rainfall, and floods. While the registry has been widely welcomed, civil society groups caution that carbon markets must benefit local communities and not just corporations. Past carbon offset projects in parts of Africa have raised concerns about land rights, community consent, and equitable revenue sharing. Experts say strong oversight will be critical to ensure communities are consulted before projects begin, benefits are shared fairly and envContinue Reading

]]> 36cb3a9ad2b1a6a9e3399f43a62b6358 https://big3africa.org/?p=5106 Fri, 13 Feb 2026 10:39:19 +0300 Kenya's Missing Climate Billions An audit byContinue Reading

]]> c2dc602a26e405579ff3a15d728b592f https://big3africa.org/?p=5101 Fri, 13 Feb 2026 08:30:23 +0300 Sea Turtle Rescues Transform Conservation in Watamu Kenya By Lloyd Kai On the shoreline of Watamu in Kilifi County, Teresia Njeri raises her hand to signal her team. Together, they lift a large male green sea turtle into a reinforced carrying sling. The turtle weighs 105 kilograms. Waves break steadily nearby as the group moves in step, careful and practiced. They pause briefly, hands still resting on the shell, before releasing it into the surf. The turtle hesitates, then pushes forward, disappearing beneath the breaking waves. For Njeri, the moment is profound, another quiet return, another life carried back into the ocean, and a reminder of the shared responsibility that keeps the work going. Njeri, 26, is part of a new generation of Kenyan conservationists who are reshaping how marine protection works along the Kenyan coast. As Marine Education Coordinator at Local Ocean Conservation (LOC), she is helping shift sea turtle conservation from a largely foreign-led effort to one driven by local communities. Watamu lies about 105 kilometers north of Mombasa and 15 kilometers south of Malindi. Its beaches and reefs fall under the Watamu Marine National Park and Reserve and form one of Kenya’s most important nesting and foraging habitats for sea turtles. Njeri’s connection to the ocean began years before her current role. Before conservation, Njeri trained in hospitality. When the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the industry, her plans shifted. Searching for something meaningful, she began volunteering. In 2021, her aunt connected her to Local Ocean Conservation. “The ocean first became personal to me when I visited Watamu. My aunt was also working with a conservation organization here in Watamu, so she got to explain to me about the importance of the ocean. And that’s how my interest grew in the ocean.” Community-based marine conservation along Kenya’s coast | Lloyd Kai, Bird Story Agency “That teaching sparked my journey into sea turtle conservation,” Njeri explains. Today, she works with a team overseeing community-led education programs and coordinating turtle rescue activities at LOC, an organization with deep roots along the Kenyan coast. Teresia is not only passionate about ocean conservation herself, but she also serves as a role model for other young people, showing them that meaningful work can be found in areas like the Blue Economy. Through her daily tours, she educates tourists and youth on the importance of protecting marine ecosystems, explaining how healthy oceans support fisheries, tourism, renewable energy, and local livelihoods. During these tours, Teresia engages participants with hands-on learning, teaching them about marine biodiversity, the threats faced by coastal environments, and simple actions they can take to make a difference. In the past, turtles caught accidentally in fishing nets were often seen as food or income. Today, they are widely recognized as protected species. A 24-hour rescue hotline allows fishermen to call LOC when a turtle is caught. Rescue teams assess the animal on site, releasing it immediately or transporting it for treatment. If injured or ill, turtles are taken to LOC’s Turtle Rehabilitation Centre, established in 2003 and expanded to include nine tanks and a treatment clinic. Injuries range from net abrasions and hook wounds to severe spear-gun punctures. Turtles are monitored until they are stable enough to return to the ocean. The African Union (AU) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) estimate that Africa’s Blue Economy, encompassing key sectors such as fisheries, tourism, transport, renewable energy, and marine ecosystems, could expand significantly by 2030, generating up to US $405 billion in economic value and creating approximately 57 million jobs if managed sustainably. This projection underscores the substantial economic importance of healthy marine biodiversity and the need for policies that protect and enhance ocean and coastal ecosystems to realize these benefits. Through this program, more than 24,000 turtle rescues have been conducted along the Kenyan coast. Fishermen receive a small compensation of about KES 200 to KES 300 to cover phone costs and time spent waiting. According to the Wildlife Conservation and Management Act (2025) and Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), poaching or trading in sea turtles carries a maximum fine of Ksh 100 million or life imprisonment. Even possession of turtle products, such as eggs or shells, can result in a KES 2 million fine and three years in prison, reflecting Kenya’s zero-tolerance policy toward the exploitation of these critically endangered species. Muhammed ba Mkuu, a fisherman from Uyombo village, has worked these waters for more than 20 years. Initially skeptical about their involvement in turtle conservation, he became a committed participant after seeing injured turtles treated and released. He estimates he has helped rescue dozens. Teresia Njeri and a group of local fishermen lifting a rescued green sea turtle near a boat in Uyombo village, Matsangoni. | Lloyd Kai, Bird Story Agency “Whenever I accidentally catch a turtle, I make sure to call the Local Ocean Conservation team immediately so they can help with its safe release. Fishermen in my community are well aware that this is what we are supposed to do, and we all understand the importance of protecting turtles,” Much of Teresia’s work brings her into close contact with fishermen and marine rescue teams, groups that are largely made up of men. Navigating these male-dominated spaces has played a key role in shaping her leadership style. “I’ve learned authority doesn’t have to be loud or aggressive. People respond best when they feel respected rather than confronted.” Similar community-led rescue initiatives now operate along much of Kenya’s coastline, from Lamu in the north to Diani in the south. Community protection efforts extend beyond East Africa. In Sierra Leone, community-based marine turtle conservation programs have documented hundreds of nesting sites along the country’s Atlantic coastline and supported the release of more than 38,000 hatchlings. According to a case study on the IUCN-supported PANORAMA Solutions platform, these initiatives engage local beach monitors, former egg collectors, and fishing communities to patrol nesting areas, protect eggs, and raise awareness The team collaborates closely with a local veterinarian and the Kenya Wildlife Service to support and protect the marine protected areas around Watamu. Despite its impact, the work carries emotional strain. “The hardest part is seeing a sea turtle coming in when it’s too injured, there’s nothing much that we can help and the sea turtle loses its life,” said Njeri. Capacity remains a challenge. Njeri’s team monitors 50 to 100 nests each year and has treated more than 808 turtles at the rehabilitation center. “When a sea turtle loses its life, some cases stay with us, especially when we’ve invested so much time and care to the turtle and the turtle does not make it. What keeps me returning to the job every morning is the goal. It’s not just perfection, it’s about the progress.” Sea turtles continue to face global threats. According to the IUCN Red List, Hawksbill and Kemp’s Ridley turtles remain Critically Endangered as of October 2025. The Green Sea Turtle, however, has shown signs of recovery, with an estimated 28 percent population increase since the 1970s, based on assessments completed in late 2024. Marine biologist Joey Ngunu, who has contributed to Kenya’s National Sea Turtle Conservation and Management frameworks, emphasizes the importance of long-term planning. “Turtles always nest where they were born,” Ngunu says. “We’ve seen a turtle swim nearly 4,800 kilometers from the Chagos Islands to the Kenyan coast to forage, then find her way back across the vast sea to her birth beach. How they do that is still a puzzle to us as researchers.” He adds, “I find the narrative that we need to be taught conservation quite lazy and unscientific. Africans have lived with wildlife for a long time; we naturally know how to conserve it. The real threats are industrialization and commercial fishing, not a lack of local knowledge.” For Njeri, the most meaningful moments often come during community outreach. “A good day to me is when people understand how their choices affect sea turtles. And a bad day is encountering repeated human impacts on the shoreline that is affecting the life of our sea turtle. “If the conservation funding disappeared, maybe tomorrow, I think the bycatch program would still go on because of the trust that we’ve built with the community and the respect that they have about taking care of the sea turtle.” This story has been published courtsey of bird story agency: https://agency.birdstoryagency.com/stories/community-led-rescues-are-Continue Reading

]]> 8e45a5c6be851c49c8e0283f5701a88d https://big3africa.org/?p=5095 Wed, 11 Feb 2026 13:46:32 +0300 Boosting East Africa Climate and Food Resilience Continue Reading

]]> b6ebe4edb481d35023dddb8ee6a75f1e https://big3africa.org/?p=5082 Tue, 10 Feb 2026 07:52:03 +0300 Nairobi Waste to Energy Transformation The Nairobi City County government has established a strategic partnership withContinue Reading

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