Former US Vice President Al Gore is set to visit Kenya from June 12-14 for a Climate Reality Leadership Corps training that will be taking place in Kenya for the first time since its inception almost 20 years ago.
The two-and-a-half-day Nairobi training will explore the exciting progress toward a clean energy economy in Kenya and the state of climate action worldwide, amplifying East African voices in the effort against the climate crisis.
During his visit, Gore will address Kenyan participants on climate impacts and solutions, and how to effectively advocate for change, and connect with fellow climate activists.
The visit by the former US VP will also be an opportunity for Kenyans to learn about Kenya’s leadership role in clean energy deployment, with a focus on strengthening resilience, accelerating renewable energy access, and advancing green industrialisation.
Further, the training will also highlight critical climate finance gaps and opportunities to unlock financing through greater global commitments and accountability.
The Climate Reality Project is looking to bring renewed hope to the climate movement, amplify public pressure, and hold global leaders accountable amid the climate change crisis that the world is grappling with.
The urgency of the training in Kenya is driven by record-breaking extreme weather events in the country, including sustained droughts and devastating floods that threaten millions of lives and livelihoods across the nation and major cities in including Nairobi.
''Kenya is at the forefront of the world’s efforts to solve the climate crisis. The impacts of the crisis in Kenya are having profound consequences that worsen food insecurity, increase energy burdens, and displace people from their homes. At the same time, Kenya has become a global leader on clean energy, showing countries around the world how climate action can work at the local and national level,'' said Gore ahead of his visit.
This will mark the second high-profile visit to Kenya in a matter of weeks, following the upcoming State Visit by Finland’s President Alexander Stubb and First Lady Suzanne Innes-Stubb from May 12 to 14 — the first-ever visit to Kenya by a Finnish head of state.
While Kenya and Finland enjoy diplomatic ties rooted in Kenya’s independence in 1963, a Finnish President has never visited Kenya. Engagements between the two countries have primarily been through ministerial visits and development cooperation rather than high-level state visits.
The Finnish President is also expected to hold talks with President William Ruto. However, it was not immediately clear whether the former US VP would meet the President.
The last visit to Kenya by a current or former member of the U.S. presidency was in 2015, when former President Barack Obama made a historic trip to the country during his tenure.
