President William Ruto’s ambitious vision of transforming Kenya into an environmental hub and planting 15 billion trees by 2032 risks stalling unless institutions of higher learning take a central role in combating climate change, experts warn.
The alarm was sounded as new data revealed that Kenya loses approximately KSh 900 billion annually due to the impacts of climate change—equivalent to 3 to 5 percent of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Without urgent and sustained intervention, these losses could spiral to a staggering KSh 15 trillion over the next 15 years, with consequences including prolonged droughts, devastating floods, failed harvests, and crumbling infrastructure.
Speaking at the launch of the Institute for Sustainability and Climate at the International Leadership University, renowned environmentalist Dr. Kalua Green stressed the pivotal role that universities must play. He urged Kenya’s academic institutions to lead in designing practical, research-driven climate solutions, and to align education curricula with the urgent environmental needs of the nation and continent.
“Kenya and Africa at large are among the most affected by climate change, yet we also have the potential to lead the world in reversing these effects,” Dr. Kalua said. “Our institutions of higher learning must become centers of innovation for climate resilience and sustainable development.”
While President Ruto has championed conservation efforts—including the introduction of annual national tree-planting days—there has been limited follow-through in nurturing the planted trees, raising questions about the long-term viability of the program.
Experts argue that without education-led solutions and grassroots mobilization, Kenya’s environmental aspirations may remain symbolic rather than transformative.
In addition to urging personal responsibility among citizens, stakeholders emphasized the need to leverage Kenya’s environmental efforts to access the carbon credit market, turning conservation into an economic opportunity.
With climate change posing a clear and present danger to Kenya’s development prospects, the call to action is clear: unless academic institutions step up to drive innovation, research, and practical solutions, the country risks losing both lives and livelihoods to a preventable crisis
