Kenyan youth have been challenged to turn their digital skills into a powerful tool for climate action, environmental conservation and public awareness as the country confronts the growing effects of climate change.
Speaking at the Kenya Institute of Special Education (KISE) during the launch of the Youth Climate Policy and Advocacy Training programme, the Spouse of the Deputy President, Dr Joyce Kithure, said young people were uniquely positioned to influence public conversations on environmental protection because of their extensive use of digital communication platforms.
Dr Joyce urged the youth to move beyond using social media and other digital platforms for entertainment and instead deploy them to educate communities, promote environmental responsibility and advocate for policies aimed at protecting the planet.
She said the younger generation had the greatest stake in the country’s environmental future because they would live with the long term consequences of decisions being made today.
“Young people have unparalleled digital skills,” Dr Joyce said, urging them to use their online reach to disseminate accurate information on climate change and encourage communities to adopt environmentally sustainable practices.
She noted that the choices made by the current generation would have consequences extending far into the future, with young people likely to either benefit from a protected environment or bear the burden of environmental degradation.
The training programme seeks to equip young people with knowledge and advocacy skills that can enable them to participate more effectively in climate policy discussions and environmental initiatives.
Dr Joyce’s remarks came as climate change increasingly takes centre stage in national and global development discussions, with governments, scientists, civil society organisations and young people seeking ways of reducing environmental degradation while strengthening communities’ resilience to climate-related challenges.
The event also brought together representatives from youth organisations, academia and government research institutions, highlighting the need for collaboration in addressing climate related challenges.
Gorfly Mokua, Founder and Director of the Africa Youth Care Group (AYCG), the organisation behind the training initiative, commended Dr Joyce for supporting environmental sustainability initiatives through her SaVE Community Initiative.
Mr Mokua said partnerships bringing together young people, government, researchers and community organisations were important in creating a generation capable of participating meaningfully in climate policy and advocacy.
He said empowering young people with relevant knowledge would enable them to become advocates for environmental protection within their communities and through digital platforms.
The forum also emphasised the role of science and research in developing practical responses to climate change.
Prof David Kariuki, Chairman of the Department of Chemistry at the University of Nairobi, called for greater investment in scientific innovation and research as part of efforts to address environmental challenges.
He said scientific discoveries and innovation could provide new approaches to climate change mitigation while helping the country develop solutions suited to its own environmental and economic circumstances.
Prof Kariuki encouraged young people to embrace science and innovation and participate in research aimed at finding sustainable solutions to climate related problems.
His remarks were echoed by National Research Fund chief executive Prof Dickson Andala, who urged young climate advocates to take advantage of government institutions established to support research and innovation.
Prof Andala challenged the youth to actively seek partnerships and strategic support from research institutions when developing programmes focused on climate change mitigation and environmental conservation.
He said young people should not view government research agencies merely as institutions for scientists and academics but as potential partners in developing and implementing innovative solutions.
The call for greater youth participation in climate policy comes amid growing recognition that young people can play a critical role in shaping public attitudes towards environmental conservation.
Through social media, online campaigns, digital storytelling and other communication technologies, young climate advocates can reach audiences beyond their immediate communities and contribute to national conversations on environmental policy.
The training programme is therefore expected to provide participants with an opportunity to strengthen their understanding of climate policy while developing advocacy and communication skills that can be applied in their communities.
Speakers at the launch stressed that tackling climate change requires more than government action, calling for cooperation among young people, scientists, researchers, policymakers, civil society organisations and communities.
The emphasis on digital advocacy also reflects the changing nature of public communication, with online platforms increasingly becoming important spaces for civic education, policy discussions and mobilisation around environmental causes.
For Kenya’s youthful population, the speakers said, the challenge is to transform that digital presence into constructive action capable of influencing environmental behaviour and supporting long term climate resilience.
The message from the KISE forum was clear that young people are not merely future beneficiaries of environmental policies but important participants in shaping the decisions and innovations that will determine the country’s environmental future.
