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{
    "id": 1477436,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1477436/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 121,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. M. Kajwang’",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13162,
        "legal_name": "Moses Otieno Kajwang'",
        "slug": "moses-otieno-kajwang"
    },
    "content": "This requires us to be proactive in monitoring the policies and programmes put in place to mitigate and adapt to the impacts of climate change and ensure that they are effective and equitable and that they benefit the most vulnerable in our societies. Furthermore, parliament must lead in the legislative process by enacting strong climate laws that establish clear frameworks for action, allocate appropriate budgets for climate initiatives and set accountability mechanisms for implementation. During the discussions in Abidjan, it became evident that many African countries still lack comprehensive climate legislation. It is, therefore, incumbent upon us, as parliamentarians, to work collaboratively with our executive branches and other stakeholders to develop and pass the necessary legal frameworks that align with our international commitments and ensure national climate resilience. I am happy to note and report that Kenya in 2016 was the pioneering African country when we came up with the Climate Change Act. Only last year in September, this House was involved in amendments to the Climate Change Act to provide a framework for carbon markets and carbon trading. That puts Kenya ahead of the rest of the other countries in Africa. The Abidjan Declaration also emphasized the importance of carbon trading and climate finance as critical tools in Africa's climate response. African nations, many of which are rich in natural resources, must participate equitably in the global carbon market. As MPs, we must advocate for the development of harmonized carbon trading models that ensure fairness and justice in pricing, allowing our countries to benefit from carbon credits while simultaneously supporting global efforts to reduce emissions. We must also push for increased climate finance, including accessing grants and funds from mechanisms such as the Green Climate Fund to support adaptation and mitigation projects in Africa. A significant focus of the Abidjan meeting was on capacity building. For parliaments to perform their roles effectively. We need to be equipped with the knowledge, tools and expertise necessary to understand the complexity of climate science and policy. This is why partnerships with institutions like the Africa Union Development Agency, NEPAD and AGNES are invaluable. They can provide the technical support needed to strengthen the capacity of parliamentarians and technical staff to oversee climate action, track progress and ensure accountability. I want to encourage your office and the Office of the Clerk of the Senate that perhaps parliament needs to have a trained negotiator on climate matters, because it is very much involved in climate legislation. It is high time we partnered with AGNES to build the capacity of our clerks on climate negotiation. The declaration in Abidjan emphasized the role of multi-stakeholder engagement. Climate action requires the involvement of all sectors of society, including the scientific community, civil society, private sector and most importantly, local communities. MPs must serve as a bridge between the people and the Government, ensuring that climate policies reflect the needs and aspirations of the people, particularly those in vulnerable communities who are most affected by climate change. Here in Nairobi, scientists, negotiators, researchers and civil society are gathered under the banner of AGNES to develop a position pre-COP29. As I said earlier, we were The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposes only.A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Director, Hansard and Audio Services,Senate."
}