Kenyan President, William Ruto said climate change would be his administration’s key agenda to ramp up clean energy and phase out fossil fuels for full solar electricity by 2030.
Ruto said this in his inauguration speech at Nairobi’s Moi International Sports Complex.
“In our country, women and men, young people, farmers, workers, and local communities suffer the consequences of climate emergency.
“We must act urgently to keep global heating levels below 1.5 Celsius, help those in need, and end addiction to fossil fuels, echoing calls by the United Nations Secretary-General to cut the world’s reliance on coal, oil, and gas.”
Taking cues from the country’s revised commitments on climate change submitted to the U.N., known as nationally determined contributions, the President affirmed the country would have a full and just transition to electricity exclusively produced by solar, wind, and geothermal energy by 2030 that will ensure all communities benefit from the move.
“Kenya is on a transition to clean energy that will support jobs, local economies, and sustainable industrialization. We call on all African states to join us on this journey. Africa can lead the world. We have immense potential for renewable energy. Reducing costs of renewable energy technologies make this the most viable energy source.”
But former Head of Kenya’s Meteorological Department, Evans Mukolwe said the move, although welcomed, might have too tight of a deadline given that the current devastating drought in Africa severely undermines hydropower.
He added that unless deliberate efforts are made to increase geothermal and solar power, the President’s new goal may be difficult to achieve.
Ruto, who won the August presidential elections, was sworn in as Kenya’s fifth President.
He succeeds President Uhuru Kenyatta who had served the constitutional two-term limit.
The President will also take over from Kenyatta as chairman of the Committee of African Heads of State on Climate Change, which is the continent’s highest decision-making body on climate issues.
During the forthcoming U.N. climate conference in Sharm el Sheikh in Egypt this November, Ruto said he would lead the continent in negotiating the delivery of finance and technology to the continent to support nations dealing with the effects of climate change.
