National Assembly Speaker Dr Moses Wetangula has cautioned Kenyans to be aware of the ongoing devastating impact of climate change in the region, calling for urgent measures by everyone to stem the tide.

Mr Wetangula said climate change interventions need a serious commitment because of their adverse and disruptive effects to human ecosystems, to human operations and subsistence, as well as to human wellness and overall lifestyles. “We need not belabour the very well-known realities regarding Climate Change and the greenhouse effects in our lives today. Climate change and the greenhouse effects are attributed directly and indirectly to human activity,” he said.

Making reference to various authorities including the Federal Institute of Science and Technology in USA, he noted that global warming is the average rise in temperature on the earth’s surface (both land and at the oceans) which leads to changes in the global climatic patterns or climate change and is one of the gravest crises facing the whole world today.

He was speaking at Mount Kenya University (MKU)’s 23rd graduation ceremony held under the theme Embracing Law, Science and Technology for Advancement of Climate Change interventions in Thika town last weekend.  Over 6,000 students from 12 different countries were conferred Degrees and awarded Diplomas. Among them were 15 PhDs, 349 Masters, and 3,618 Bachelor’s Degree recipients.

Mr Wetangula, who was the chief gust, reminded the graduates and their parents, varsity managers and dons that on September 8, 2021, President Uhuru Kenyatta officially declared drought in the arid and semi-arid (ASAL) parts of Kenya a national disaster. “Fifteen out of 23 ASAL counties in Kenya have experienced widespread droughts in the last two years alongside the entire Horn of Africa. This as a global and not an isolated phenomenon,” he said.

The speaker said calls for multi-faceted strategies and use of law, science, technology and innovation in sustainable interventions are an obligation to all stakeholders. “All governments and their agencies across the world, NGOs, institutions of higher learning, business communities, professional bodies, and all other stakeholders working together are called upon to contribute individually and collectively towards this glaring danger of our current times,” he added.

Mr Wetangula said the rise in research on “greenhouse” effects and climate change mitigation is a vital input by universities and research organisations for bridging the glaring national policy gaps. These include areas of environmental education, consumer behaviour, rewarding and sanctions systems, as well as in legislation and government or organisational support in climate change mitigation.

The Speaker highlighted the various intergovernmental agreements / treaties that have been signed over the years to globally support climate change mitigation.  “Noting the global occurrences such as the Greenland heating and ice loss, widespread droughts and flooding, we must all take responsibility. There has to be clear strategies to ensure all the above mentioned agreements are implemented for the sake of humanity,” he said.

In support of the above, the Speaker said, President William Ruto, has declared and has put in place modalities of planting 15 billion trees by 2032. “We all need to support this clarion call and make it a reality,” he added, congratulating the MKU administration for its efforts in tree planting and environmental conservation.

MKU founder and chairman of the board of directors, Prof Simon Gicharu, said the climate change challenge comes with numerous opportunities for innovative and creative entrepreneurs. “These include coming up with innovative solutions for clean and green energy, tree planting, restoration of water towers, conservation, and Cloud Seeding Technology,” he said.  

Congratulating the graduates, he asked them to apply this innovative spirit in their areas of training and expertise. “If your field is I.C.T, you should not just be an I.C.T specialist. Be innovative and identify other opportunities in areas such as Artificial Intelligence. Use the existing e-resources to discover the emerging opportunities arising from disruptions,” he said. Climate change 

Recently, the university was awarded a Sh4 million grant by the UK’s Knowledge Transfer Network (UK KTN) to pilot an Internet of Things-enabled machine that allows shopkeepers to accurately dispense as little as a few cents’ worth of washing powder into reusable containers thereby increasing profit margins for store owners and reducing single-use plastic, which is a major contributor to environmental pollution and climate change.

During the fete, International Criminal Court Prosecutor Karim Khan awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Law in recognition of his contributions to the rule of law and international justice. Dr Khan hailed the value of education in the growth and development of humanity and reckoned that climate change theme of the graduation ceremony “resonates very well with the time we are living in.

“Any compromise on the ability of environment to sustain human existence will ultimately bear unfathomable consequences to the peace and stability the world is enjoying today,” he added.

He pledged to support the development and growth of MKU Parklands School of Law (as an alumnus) so as to enhance sustained competencies in training law.  “Whenever possible, I will participate in any non-conflicting engagements while offering material and ideological support when called upon,” Dr. Khan added.

ENDS

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