Nairobi governor, Johnson Sakaja, on Wednesday, June 14, landed an international role after he was elected as Vice Chair of the C40 Steering Committee.
The C40 Steering Committee is a governing body of C40 Cities that provides strategic direction for a global network of close to 100 cities that work towards addressing climate change effects.
A statement from C40 Cities noted that Sakaja was selected owing to his vision of making Nairobi a Green City in the Sun.
“Johnson’s commitment is to put the city at the frontline for the implementation of the Climate Action Plan (2020-2050) with the support of C40, and focusing on developing a roadmap to get Nairobi to net zero, creating green jobs, and strengthening local resilience,” the organisation stated.
While accepting the appointment, Sakaja admitted that Nairobi was one of the cities affected by Climate Change, from the emission of gasses and reduced availability of and access to water.
“The city is more vulnerable to floods, extreme heat, and drought than ever. Without adaptation and mitigation efforts, these threats will become more volatile, and the citizens will face unprecedented challenges to their livelihoods,” a statement from Sakaja read in part.
His appointment to C40 came three months after he was named as one of Young Global Leaders Aliko Dangote Fellows for 2023.
C40 Cities comprises some of the famous capitals and cities worldwide, including Amsterdam, Barcelona, Beijing, Dubai, Washington DC, Toronto and Chicago.
African cities in the program include; Nairobi, Abidjan, Accra, Cape Town, Dakar, Dar es Salaam, Durban, Ekurhuleni, Freetown, Johannesburg, Lagos and Tshwane.
According to the organisation, mayors/governors of member cities are committed to using an inclusive, science-based and collaborative approach to cut their fair share of emissions in half by 2030.
As a member, Nairobi will be funded to enhance key sectors in combating climate change by raising climate awareness, building equitable and thriving communities, building a global movement, scaling up climate action and facilitating access to finance.
President William Ruto, since his inauguration, has advocated for climate change by Africa to make concerted efforts to win the war.
While speaking during the 3rd Regional Symposium on Greening Judiciaries in Africa held in Nairobi in April 2023, Ruto warned that the continent was disproportionately affected by adverse climate change impacts.
Kenya, Ruto confirmed, was on track to accelerate the energy transition, supercharge the growth of renewables, and commit to phasing out all fossil fuels – starting with coal.
"We already generate 92 per cent of our power from clean sources and have committed to achieving a 100 per cent clean electricity network by 2030. Similarly, renewables generated 46 per cent of Germany’s electricity in 2022, and the government has committed to increase that to 80 per cent by 2030.
"Critically, these commitments will not only ensure clean power and a safer environment but also create jobs, attract investment, and make our economies more secure and resilient in the face of volatile oil and gas prices," Ruto added in an opinion article published on Project Syndicate in May 2023.
