Climate and Security: Kenya’s Shift Underway
Addis Ababa – In a firm and clear voice, Kenya’s Principal Secretary for Internal Security and National Administration, Dr Raymond Omollo, told delegates at the Second Africa Climate Summit (8–10 September 2025) that climate change can no longer be viewed as merely an environmental issue. It is now squarely a threat to national and regional security.
“That is no longer just an environmental concern. It is a matter of national security,” he said, capturing the gravity of the moment. His words underscore a deeper reality: climate emergencies drive displacement, stir conflict and undermine the foundation of stability.
From Policy to the Ground: Chiefs as Climate Champions
Kenya isn’t stopping at bold statements. Under Dr Omollo’s leadership, the country has rolled out a pioneering National Climate Change Security Resilience Programme. It trains local chiefs—13,000 so far—as frontline responders to climate risks.
These civic leaders now host Chiefs Climate Action Day on the first Friday of each month. They rally communities to plant over 250 seedlings per site, all part of a campaign aiming to plant 15 billion trees by 2032.
These efforts do more than green landscapes—they strengthen social cohesion and local resilience. As Dr Omollo put it, “As we plant trees, we are not just restoring landscapes – we are planting peace, stability, and hope”
The Summit’s Bigger Picture: Africa Calls for Investment, Not Aid
The summit itself, co‑hosted by the African Union and Ethiopia, centred on African‑led solutions and climate finance. Africa wants investment—not short‑term aid—from the global community.
Leaders pinned their hopes on shifting from climate aid to climate investment—a theme echoed by Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, who urged seeing Africa as an opportunity, not just a recipient.
Kenyan President William Ruto added urgency, accusing Western nations of breaking a “climate blood pact” made at Glasgow in 2021. He warned that lives—not budgets—are at stake when funding for adaptation fails to match commitments.
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