Onesmus Kuyu Muia, Machakos CEC for Water, Irrigation, Environment, Sanitation & Climate Change, with Justus Kasivu, CEC for Health, during the handover of the Nairobi Living Declaration baton to Nairobi County Government/HANDOUT

By Churchill Simiyu, Reporter

Nairobi, Kenya, October 21, 2025
Machakos Governor Wavinya Ndeti has urged African leaders, scientists, and policymakers to unite in tackling the escalating climate and health crisis, emphasizing the urgent need for science-driven policies and partnerships to build a resilient and sustainable continent.
Speaking during the 4th Pan-African Conference on Environment, Climate Change, and Health held in Nairobi, Governor Ndeti described climate change as “a present and growing crisis that affects the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the health and wellbeing of our people.”
The conference, themed “Harnessing Science, Policy, and Partnerships for Environmental Sustainability and Climate Health Resilience,” brought together delegates from across the continent to discuss collaborative solutions to Africa’s pressing environmental challenges.
Governor Ndeti reflected on Machakos County’s leadership in hosting the 3rd Climate Change and Health Conference last year, highlighting the county’s progress in implementing community-led climate adaptation programs, early warning systems, and strengthened public health responses to climate-sensitive diseases.

“In Machakos, we didn’t just talk—we acted. We advanced community-driven climate initiatives and built partnerships with academia, civil society, and the private sector to make our policies more inclusive and locally grounded,” she said.
She noted that the lessons learned in Machakos have inspired collaboration and peer learning across other counties, reinforcing Kenya’s commitment to climate resilience through shared innovation and policy development.
In a symbolic gesture, Governor Ndeti officially handed over the “climate action baton” to Nairobi City County, expressing confidence in Nairobi’s capacity to drive the next phase of Africa’s climate and health agenda.
“Let this transition represent continuity in commitment and solidarity in purpose. The baton may change hands, but our mission remains the same — to ensure our people not only survive climate challenges but thrive in them,” she remarked.
Governor Ndeti called for collective effort across all sectors, stressing that fragmented responses would not be enough to address the complex link between climate, environment, and health.
She concluded by reaffirming Machakos County’s continued partnership with national, regional, and global actors in promoting sustainable climate action, urging that the conference serve as “a platform where bold solutions are born and partnerships translate into progress.”

“The future of our continent — its health, prosperity, and very survival — depends on what we do today. Let us rise to the occasion,” she urged.