Late last year and early this year, a devastating drought-ravaged parts of Northern Kenya and the larger Horn of Africa. Millions of livestock died for lack of pasture as millions of people starved.
Humanitarian organsations, and national and county governments mobilised hundreds of millions of shillings to buy and distribute foodstuff.
However, beginning this month, heavy rains are pounding the region, displacing thousands of people. Villages have been submerged, forcing people and livestock to migrate. Families have lost homes and their only source of livelihood; crops and livestock.
In Tana River, more than 10,000 residents have been rendered homeless after River Tana burst its banks, according to reports yesterday. Roads have been rendered impassable and ferrying food and basic items is nearly impossible.
This extreme weather pattern is caused by climate change. Africa carries the heaviest burden despite contributing the least to this climate phenomenon.
Road to Dubai
And with less than a month to the Conference of Parties on Climate Change COP28 in the United Arab Emirates, Dubai, Africa has been told to speak strongly to what must be done to confront the phenomenon.
It is a matter of life and death, where Africa's future depends on the actions and funds put into addressing this challenge.
Speaking during the Road to COP28: Accelerating Climate Actions Forum at the Boma Hotel in Nairobi yesterday, Pan African Climate Justice Alliance (PACJA) Executive Director Mwenda Mithika said Africa must set her priorities right ahead of the conference.
"We must ask ourselves the status of adaptation to climate change. How we are impacting the smallholder farmers across Africa? How are the pastoralists dealing with the floods now? Developed nations must release the promised funds now for adaptation, funds for transition to clean energy and urgent operationalisation of the Loss and Damage Fund," he said.
The forums organised by the Standard Group and PACJA are aimed at analysing outcomes of the recent Africa Climate Summit and its ramifications for Kenya and Africa, and discussing the way forward ahead of the Dubai summit.
The global interactions will offer another reflective moment for the Parties to the UN Climate Change Convention in the implementation of the Paris Agreement, in what is referred to as the global stock-take.
Pathfinder International-Africa President Lydia Zoungrana called for the need to highlight the plight of women, especially those living in rural areas.
"As we head to COP28, we must uplift the voices of women farmers and those living in marginalised areas... They are the ones handling the floods now and just recently were feeling the heat of the prolonged droughts," she told the forum.
There were also calls to include everyone - young, old, different faiths and cultures. "The effects of climate change affect all people in Africa and that is why all religious leaders have united and called for immediate action from the developed nations. This means life and death for all Africans and they must demand adaptations funds in Dubai," said Bishop Ezekiel Lesmore from the All African Conference of Churches.
Speaking for the voiceless
The African Women's Development and Communication Network Executive Director Memory Kachambwa said women, youth and indigenous people should be given priority. "They are at the grassroots in Africa and most affected by climate change. We must also raise our voices on how the Loss and Damage Fund will be handled. Who will manage the funds and how will the same reach the person at the bottom?" she said.
ActionAid Executive Director Susan Otieno said Africa must approach COP28 as a battleground where tough negotiations will take place. "We will not be going there to smile and look nice. We must demand reparations, a stop to use of fossil fuels and funds for adaptation. We must also refuse false solutions such as carbon credits market which cannot work here in Africa," she said.
PACJA Head of Research Charles Mwangi said Africa must be recognised as a special needs region while addressing climate change. "This is because Africa is greatly impacted by effects of climate change despite contributing the least of carbon emissions. Still most African countries' Nationally Determined Contribution (NDCs) emissions targets are overly ambitious given our limited financial capacity," he told the forum.
Educating Kenyans
He said Africa must demand commitment from developed nations to release the more than Sh100 billion promised to the continent to tackle climate change.
Miss Climate Kenya Dorcas Naishorua said the youth should be educated on the impact of climate change to Africa's future and funded to implement solutions.
Standard Group Head of Corporate Affairs Charles Kimathi said the company is ready to amplify the voices of all groups and partners ahead of the summit. "We have partnered with climate change experts who will break down the matters at hand for our audiences. They will help Kenyans understand the impact of climate change, articulate the diverse concerns and seek urgent solutions to this global challenge," he said.
