Climate Justice Experts Advocate for Inclusive Legal Frameworks in Eldoret Conference
Alex Yator, Program Manager at Natural Justice East Africa Hub, highlighted the disproportionate impact of climate change on vulnerable communities.
Climate change experts addressing the press in Eldoret City during the Environmental and Land Court Climate Justice Conference
Legal experts and environmental advocates convened in Eldoret for the Environmental and Land Court Climate Justice Conference, underscoring the urgent need for inclusive, rights-based approaches to addressing climate change.
The ongoing conference that was opened by Chief Justice Martha Koome, brought together stakeholders from diverse fields to discuss the judiciary’s role in advancing climate justice, identify gaps in current litigation efforts, and propose actionable solutions.
Alex Yator, Program Manager at Natural Justice East Africa Hub, highlighted the disproportionate impact of climate change on vulnerable communities.
“The people most affected by climate change are often those who contribute the least to the problem,” Yator noted.
He emphasized the importance of empowering these communities to realize their environmental rights and participate meaningfully in decision-making processes.
Yator pointed to gaps in project implementation, particularly in community involvement.
“We’ve seen communities excluded from decisions about multibillion-shilling projects like dams and production plants. Often, they learn about these projects when contractors arrive on-site,” he explained.
Yator stressed the need for increased access to information and community participation from project inception to ensure environmental impact assessments are inclusive and comprehensive.
Dale Onyango, Senior Programs Officer at Natural Justice, echoed these sentiments, calling for greater inclusion of marginalized groups and grassroots stakeholders.
“Farmers, informal traders, and other vulnerable groups bear the brunt of climate change,” Onyango said. “We need to equip them with knowledge about the law and how to use it to protect their rights. At the same time, lawyers and advocates must be included in these conversations, as they are crucial in bringing cases to court.”
Despite recognizing the judiciary’s critical role in climate justice, Onyango criticized the lack of representation from key stakeholders.
“Justice cannot be discussed in isolation. Courts cannot act alone without the support of advocates and the communities they serve,” he remarked.
Mercy Chepkemoi, a Program Officer at Natural Justice, expressed disappointment at the absence of local community representatives at the conference.
“We have 52 judges here, but no community members or their representatives. High-level discussions like this must be accessible to those most affected,” she said.
Chepkemoi called for greater efforts to bridge the gap between policy discussions and grassroots communities.
The conference, held in Uasin Gishu County, served as a platform to advocate for stronger regulatory frameworks, enhanced governance of natural resources, and improved access to environmental justice.
Participants called for collaborative efforts to ensure that legal and policy approaches prioritize equity and inclusivity in combating climate change.
As climate challenges intensify, the role of legal systems in safeguarding environmental rights and promoting sustainable development remains critical.
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