The First Lady’s Rachael Ruto Mazingira Awards (FLAMA) held an impactful media breakfast at the Sarova Stanley Hotel on Thursday, building momentum ahead of the Mazingira Day celebrations set for October 10, 2024.
The event, themed “Children & Climate Action”, was a powerful call to recognize and elevate the role of children in safeguarding the environment and combating climate change.
Presided over by Dr. Eng. Festus K. Ng’eno, Principal Secretary for Environment and Climate Change, the gathering emphasized that children are not just victims of climate change but also vital agents of change.
The awards, launched by First Lady Rachael Ruto on September 7, 2023, during the inaugural Africa Climate Summit, were established to reward and recognize innovative environmental conservation efforts driven by children.
“The voices of children are essential in our climate dialogue,” said Dr. Ng’eno, urging the media and stakeholders to acknowledge the importance of including youth in climate action efforts. “Children, especially those in Kenya’s arid and semi-arid regions, are among the most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. Yet, they possess a profound understanding of the challenges they face. We must listen to them and engage them meaningfully in shaping solutions.”
He further stressed that raising awareness of environmental protection and climate action among children is critical, not just for today but for the future.
“We have a responsibility to work together—across generations—to tackle the climate crisis,” Dr. Ng’eno added.
The FLAMA initiative highlights the untapped potential of children as climate leaders, driving home the message that young people are key to achieving a sustainable future.
The awards will culminate in a ceremony on Mazingira Day, celebrating the creativity and determination of Kenya’s youngest environmental champions.
