Background

Background:
Kenya Youth Climate Network (KYCN) is a youth
movement comprised of youth organisations and
networks, including Kenya Young Greens (KYG), Africa
Youth Initiative on Climate Change (AYICC-Kenya),
Korogocho Community radio (Koch FM), Kama si
Sisi Artist Group, Young Environmentalists Network
in Africa (YENA), the Third Movement, Inter-varsity
Environmentalist Network (IVEN) among others.
It was consolidated in 2009 as part of young people’s
advocacy and information initiative towards the 15th
Conference of the Parties (COP 15) to the United
Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
(UNFCCC).

KYCN represents young people, youth organisations and
networks that work on the themes of environment and
governance issues from a youth perspective in Kenya at
community and national levels. It further runs several advocacy
initiatives with close partnership with other youth movements
and civil society in Kenya, Africa and globally.

The youth and networks under KYCN recognise that climate
change is an issue that required urgent action to curb its
impacts. In Kenya, climate change has affected important
sectors such as agriculture, tourism, water, health, security and
others. It compromises economic and development growth of
nations and communities and increases poverty. Kenya and
other countries of Africa are particularly vulnerable because of
their poverty and weak resilience making them unable
to cope with disasters that climate change causes.

KYCN sees climate change not only as an environmental
issue, but also a leadership issue. Accountable and
decisive leadership plays a critical role in addressing
climate change. KYCN is part of the Kenya Climate
Change Working Group (KCCWG) as well as the
global Change Maker movement. It is hosted by the
Norwegian Church Aid (NCA), a voluntary ecumenical
organisation that works to promote the basic rights of
people.

Objectives:
KYCN has three main objectives: to mobilise and build
capacity of youth in Kenya to respond to the challenges
of climate change and environmental degradation
and leadership; to create a nationwide movement of
youth that are passionate about their communities
and country; and to participate in active advocacy
towards just communities that embraces and utilises
the potential, energy and creativity of youth.

Celebrating The Actions

Kenya National Youth Climate Youth Network receives a prestigious award, pieces of cake, from Mr. Gaim Kebreab, the Area representative, Kenya Uganda and Somalia, Norwegian Church Aid
After being briefed on what the Kenya Youth Climate Network had done in the breakfast show at Nation Television, Mr. Gaim Kebreab area representative NCA was so much pleased that he bought two cakes, a pine apple and a chocolate cake just to thank the youths for what they have been tirelessly doing. With a bell being rang at around 11:00 am in the morning to convene the staff of the Norwegian Church Aid and some of the KYCN members who were finalizing on the issues of the Yatta Tree Planting scheduled for the 20th of November, 2010. You should have seen the smiles that were written on the youths who were there. I bet some of us wished they would have never taken any breakfast.

While being served the cake by Virginia, Mr. Gaim initiated a rather similar interview on what we as the KYCN were envisaging doing as a long term agenda. With pieces of advice being received from Norwegian staff, it was so open that they were blissful of what we have been doing so far. Richard another youth in the organizing committee just made it in time as the cake was being distributed and managed to get the largest piece of the pine apple cake.

“The old are in a comfort zone and once that cocoon starts to break or rather they feel threatened by the young people, then they know they are doing a good job. Even though they may NOT like it, change is inevitable” Mr. Gaim Kebreab, area representative Kenya, Uganda and Somalia.

Kenya Youth Climate Network (KYCN) interview on NTV Kenya Breakfast show, 19th November 2010

The Kenya National Youth Climate Network (KYCN) on the 19th of November 2010, made a remarkable statement on Nation Television Network (NTV) breakfast show. Under the theme ‘Vijana going green’, a brief introduction was done to elucidate who the KYCN was made up of and what they have been doing in the past towards the environment.

A wake up phone call at 4:30 am was made to the guys who were to make themselves available at Nation Media House at 6:30 am. As the few of the KYCN members tried to beat the heavy traffic in the morning, nearly all of us made it for the breakfast show on time. You could see the enthusiasm that Kito and Maithya had as they went into the news room. It was all written in their faces, “Youths can make a positive change in Kenya if given a chance.” With the first session commencing with heated discussions on why Yatta and no other place for the tree planting, it was evident that Isaiah Kipyegon a representative from the Norwegian Church Aid, had all points in his finger tips, he vividly elucidated as questions were posed to him. Maithya, the Convener of the Yatta tree planting on the other hand under the theme “Back to Eden” showed a lot of composer as he reiterated on what Isaiah was bringing to light about the Youth and Leadership in Kenya.

With a commercial break to pave way for the second session, Winnie Asiti a coordinator from the African Youth Initiative on Climate Change (AYICC-Kenya) swapped with Maithya to bring the femininity during the interview. Within no time, callers started inquiring about the envisaged tree planting staged for Yatta. It was evident that the young people in Kenya had a passion for the conservation of their environment since the NTV staff could not handle the number of callers that were on hold! After the show, the KYCN members present, George Auko, Winnie Asiti, Joshua Minai, Joseph Maithya, Philip Koimet, Jackie Mugo and Clayton Opiyo went for a breakfast treat at T-spot under the auspices of the Norwegian Church Aid.

“Listeners come and join us tomorrow to mark the event and if you cannot make it, kindly plant a tree to mark your b-day or anniversary” Winnie Asiti.