Nyanza activists hold climate change walk as COP29 starts

Environmental activists from Nyanza have staged a march in Homa Bay town to create awareness about effects of climate change.

The walk coincided with the opening meeting of the UN climate change conference (COP29 ) in Azerbaijan.

Participants of the walk said they want their voices to be heard.

Women Empowerment Link Programme officer in charge Gertrude Tala marched with other environmental activists from Siaya and Homa Bay counties to sensitise the public on adverse effects of climate change.

Tala said those who did not physically attend this year’s COP29 meeting should march in their respective countries.

The women urged leaders at the meeting to address issues affecting their countries.

Doreen Otieno, a member of the Women Empowerment Link Programme, said women are the most affected by climate change.

She asked Homa Bay government to allocate funds to help families affected by floods.

Otieno said some areas in Homa Bay county are experiencing flooding following back flow from Lake Victoria.

Such calamities increase gender based violence.

“A lot of men have turned to violence because life has become harder,” Otieno said.

She challenged more women to take part in climate change activism.

Aluora Makare CBO chairman Willis Omullo said the global discussions in Azerbaijan should be localised.

He said many people in rural areas do not understand what takes place at COP meetings.

“The government should prioritise projects that seek to address the effects of climate change. Currently, it has become very difficult to predict weather patterns due to climate change,” Omullo said.

Youth were urged to be on the frontline in advocating for behavioural change.