Bernard Gitau – Big3Africa.org

Kenya Boosts Forest Fire Defense with Sh 2.8B French Aid

Bernard Gitau5 days ago5 days ago04 mins

By Bernard Gitau Kenya’s efforts to combat the escalating threat of forest fires, which are rapidly depleting its forest cover, have received a major boost with the introduction of advanced fire detection technologies worth Sh 2.8 billion from the French government. Speaking at Kenya Forest Service (KFS) Headquarters, Environment Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale said Kenya faces escalating climate change impacts; prolonged droughts, erratic rainfall, and rising temperatures, heightening forest fire risks. “These fires threaten biodiversity, human lives, and livelihoods, making proactive management essential,” he said in a ceremony graced by France Minister of State for Francophonie and International Partnerships Thani Mohamed Soilihi. The project is worth Sh 2.8 billion (USD 22 million) supported by the French government, and introduces cutting-edge technologies for fire detection, surveillance, and suppression. “It includes drones, advanced firefighting vehicles, PPE, and training to equip Kenya Forest Service teams for effective response,” he said. The partnership has helped Kenya to erect three masts mounted with cameras fitted with sensors to detect forest fire and the cameras can scan through the forest within seven minutes. The masts are erected in Karura forest, Mt Kenya, and Aberdare forests with the Command center hosted at KFS headquarters for monitoring and quick response. Wildfires have continued to slowly eat up Kenya’s forest cover, with the recent Global Watch report revealing a total of 749 fire alerts so far in 2024, considering high-confidence alerts only. The report has also revealed there were 40 fire alerts reported in Kenya between the 19th of November 2024 and the 26th of November 2024, of which 2.5 percent were high confidence alerts The partnership between France and Kenya has spanned decades, yielding impactful projects such as the Mikokomangrove restoration, Lake Victoria Ecosystem Management, and the Kenya Climate-Smart Agriculture Project. Today’s initiative further solidifies our shared commitment to forest protection, climate action, and sustainable development. “Aligned with our national goal to grow 15 billion trees by 2032 and achieve 30% tree cover, we prioritize forest protection,” he said. He said this collaboration exemplifies the power of technology and global partnerships in tackling climate change. “As we advance, we remain dedicated to sustainable forest management and community involvement,” he added.

EU Delays Deforestation Rules, Offering Relief to Kenya’s Coffee Sector

Bernard Gitau7 days ago7 days ago06 mins

Coffee farmers and exporters can now breathe a sigh of relief after the European Union deferred the implementation of its deforestation regulations.

Karura Forest Under Siege?

Bernard Gitau1 week ago1 week ago03 mins

The Friends of Karura Forest, mandated to protect and conserve the urban forest in collaboration with the Kenya Wildlife Service (KFS), has allayed concerns about illegal logging in the ecosystem.

Kenya Secures Ksh660 Million for Enhanced Weather and Climate Services

Bernard Gitau2 weeks ago2 weeks ago03 mins

Kenya is set to receive up to Ksh660 million (£4 million) in new funding for its weather and climate information services under the WISER (Weather and Climate Information Services) Africa programme. This is part of a £30 million (Ksh4.8 billion) commitment announced by UK Development Minister Anneliese Dodds at COP29.

UN Climate Chief Warns Climate Crisis Threatens Global Economy

Bernard Gitau3 weeks ago3 weeks ago02 mins

Speaking at the UN Climate Change Conference (COP29) in Baku, Azerbaijan, UN Climate Change Executive Secretary Simon Stiell highlighted the economic impact of climate change, noting it is slicing up to 5% off GDP in many countries.

UN Chief Urges More Funding for Climate Loss and Damage

Bernard Gitau3 weeks ago3 weeks ago02 mins

UN Secretary-General António Guterres, speaking at COP29 in Baku, highlighted that the initial $700 million for the Loss and Damage Fund—a victory for developing nations, multilateralism, and climate justice—equates to the annual earnings of the world’s ten highest-paid footballers.

Kenya to reduce Greenhouses Gasses by 32% by 2030

Bernard Gitau3 weeks ago3 weeks ago04 mins

Kenya is stepping up in the climate fight, targeting a 32% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030. This ambitious goal is part of Kenya’s updated Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), revised four years ago due to more frequent, intense weather events, and the toll of climate change on the economy. In its NDC for 2020-2030, Kenya, heavily reliant on climate-sensitive resources, has pledged to pursue a low-carbon, climate-resilient development path. The goal? A sustainable development agenda that brings Kenya closer to net-zero through a commitment to reducing emissions across energy, industrial processes, agriculture, land use, forestry, and waste. The primary gases targeted include carbon dioxide (CO₂), methane (CH₄), and nitrous oxide (N₂O). As the world gathers at COP29 in Baku, UN Climate Change Executive Secretary Simon Stiell emphasized the critical importance of new national climate plans. “The quality of those NDC submissions is of greatest importance,” he stated, underscoring that the current commitments are due for an update next year. Financing these ambitious goals will require a colossal investment. The International Energy Agency (IEA) projects that two trillion dollars are needed this year alone for clean energy and infrastructure. Stiell pointed out that much of this investment is concentrated in only a few major markets, urging that funds “must flow to where they’re needed most.” Kenya’s NDC, faced with a considerable financial burden, aims to cover 21% of mitigation costs from domestic sources, leaving 79% reliant on international finance, technology, and capacity-building support. Top priorities include enhancing renewable energy in Kenya’s already 93% green power grid, as highlighted by President William Ruto. Other key initiatives include improving energy efficiency, reaching 10% tree cover nationwide, achieving land degradation neutrality, and scaling up nature-based solutions. Efforts also focus on climate-smart agriculture, sustainable waste management, and harnessing blue economy potential through coastal carbon payment for ecosystem services (PES). Adaptation measures are equally critical, with a focus on building resilience across disaster risk reduction, agriculture, health, urbanization, and vulnerable groups. Kenya’s NDC targets disaster resilience at national and local levels, aiming to support community-led climate actions and mainstream climate adaptation into development plans. According to Stiell, this massive undertaking isn’t optional. “Unless all countries can slash emissions deeply, every country and every household will be hammered even harder than they currently are,” he warned. The alternative? “A permanent inflationary nightmare,” a reality Stiell says the world cannot afford. As COP29 continues, Kenya and other nations face the challenge of turning pledges into tangible, high-impact action—underscoring that global climate resilience is a shared responsibility and essential for a sustainable future.

Young Environmentalists Honored at First Lady Mazingira Awards (FLAMA)

Bernard Gitau2 months ago2 months ago05 mins

Over 1,000 schools across Kenya took part in the inaugural First Lady Mazingira Awards (FLAMA), which provided students with a platform to contribute to the country’s climate action efforts through art, essays, and spoken word. The award ceremony, held at State House Nairobi, saw young learners being recognized for their role in environmental conservation.

Why Female Birds Choose Camouflage Over Colour

Bernard Gitau2 months ago2 months ago05 mins

In the bird world, males tend to steal the spotlight with their vibrant colors and striking features. Female birds, on the other hand, often go unnoticed. Dr. Peter Njoroge, a bird expert with the National Museums of Kenya (NMK), sheds light on why this happens, explaining that the phenomenon is deeply rooted in sexual selection.

KWS to Spend Sh18 Million to Track Vultures and Combat Poisoning

Bernard Gitau3 months ago3 months ago07 mins

Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) has announced plans to spend Sh18 million over the next three years to install GPS tracking devices on vultures. This initiative aims to enable faster responses to poisoning incidents, which are a major cause of vulture deaths in Kenya.