The Kenya Defence Forces (KDF), in collaboration with key national and regional agencies, participated in the official launch of the Early Warning for All (EW4ALL) Initiative through a large-scale tree-growing event held at Ngong Forest, Kajiado County.
The initiative, led globally by the United Nations and launched in 2022, aims to ensure that every person on Earth is protected by life-saving early warning systems for hazardous weather, water, and climate events by the year 2027.
The event brought together personnel from the KDF’s Defence Headquarters, the Kenya Red Cross Society, the National Disaster Operations Centre (NDOC), the Kenya Meteorological Department, and the Climate Prediction and Applications Centre (ICPAC).
Presiding over the event, Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Forestry, Dr. Festus Ng’eno, highlighted the urgency and significance of the initiative.
“This is not just about sending alerts; it’s about building resilient communities, empowering people with knowledge, and acting quickly to reduce harm,” said Dr. Ng’eno. “If we work together—with governments, scientists, civil society, and individuals—we can build a future where no one is left unprepared.”
Representing the KDF, Lieutenant Colonel Wycliffe Barasa, Commanding Officer of the Defence Headquarters Camp Admin Unit, reaffirmed the military’s commitment to both national security and environmental stewardship.
“KDF, under the Environmental Soldier Programme, is proud to contribute to the national target of planting 15 billion trees. Tree planting and early warning go hand in hand in protecting lives, livelihoods, and the environment,” he noted.
During the exercise, over 3,000 indigenous trees were planted, marking a tangible step towards strengthening Kenya’s climate resilience and environmental conservation efforts.
The EW4ALL initiative underscores the need for multi-agency collaboration in climate adaptation, ensuring communities are not only warned about impending climate risks but are also equipped to act.
With KDF’s active participation, the event exemplified a whole-of-society approach to addressing climate threats and building sustainable futures.
