Of Climate Change and Radio: My Key Take Aways

From September 4-8, 2023, Kenya made history by hosting the inaugural African Climate Summit, a groundbreaking event seeking to advance green growth and climate finance solutions not only for Africa but for the world.

This summit marked a pivotal moment for the continent, offering a rare opportunity to confront the world’s biggest polluters and demand accountability. Africa, though contributing the least to global carbon emissions, bears the brunt of climate change’s devastating impacts. The summit was a bold step toward reclaiming the narrative and pushing for actionable solutions.

One of my key roles during this historic event was to report round-the-clock for three days on radio, breaking down the complexities of climate change jargon and the intricate text of climate negotiations for a broad audience. The summit culminated in the landmark “Nairobi Declaration,” a powerful call from African leaders for urgent global action on climate change. The declaration included bold demands: new global taxes on carbon pollution, the phasing out of coal use, and an end to fossil fuel subsidies. It was a clarion call for justice, equity, and sustainability.

As a journalist, I was at the heart of this historic moment, relaying information across all news slots on radio, serving over 13 stations under the umbrella of Royal Media Services Limited. My days were a whirlwind of live links, digital media updates, sound bites for radio, and even clarifying to colleagues in the newsroom the nuances of climate terminology—whether to use?tabianchi?or?mabadiliko ya hali hewa?for ‘climate change.’ Beyond the technicalities, my role demanded a clear messaging strategy to ensure the audience not only understood the issues but felt compelled to act.

Ideally, climate change is both a developmental challenge and a crisis and radio, as the most trusted source of news in Kenya, sits at the heart of our communities. It is a powerful tool for education, mobilization, and change, especially on this subject of climate change.

Radio for development is the strategic use of this medium to effect social changes beneficial to a community, nation, or region. Within the study and practice of communication for national development and social change, radio has claimed a prominent place for a variety of reasons. As an aural medium, radio obviates the need for a literate audience, making it an attractive medium for states and agencies working with impoverished populations that lack access to schools or other forms of literacy training.? In addition, radio is an inexpensive medium for its audience and therefore enjoys a wide range of diffusion even among rural people with scant resources for material not directly related to their basic needs. Finally, radio is relatively inexpensive to produce and distribute, making it an attractive medium for donor agencies concerned with per capita costs for reaching underdeveloped audiences with pro-social messages.?

This live reporting from the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) was a career-defining moment. It opened doors to new opportunities and solidified my commitment to climate journalism. Together with my colleague Susan Ndunda, we left an indelible mark. We were intentional about establishing the Science and Climate Change desk within Royal Media Services Limited ’s vast radio editorial department. While the newsroom was already bustling with desks dedicated to sports, business, education, health, and general news—each manned by exceptional journalists—we saw the urgent need to carve out a space for climate storytelling. It was a bold move, but one that has since proven invaluable.

With my RadioCitizen lanyard around my neck, I traveled across Kenya, documenting the harsh realities of climate change through the eyes of those most affected. In Isiolo, I witnessed the smoking guns of resource conflicts over livestock grazing areas. In Turkana, I met resilient women restoring rangelands that had been decimated by drought. In Kajiado, I listened to the stories of survivors of human-wildlife conflict, their courage a testament to the delicate balance between nature and humanity. On Pate Island, Mto Simba, Kitangani, and Matondoni, I saw women leading the charge to revive fading mangrove ecosystems.

In Lamu’s Mpeketoni neighborhoods, I met communities fighting to save Lake Kenyatta, their only source of clean water, from disappearing. And in Ukambani, I encountered a woman whose daily mission was to preserve indigenous seeds, ensuring food security for future generations. These stories were not just reports; they were windows into the lived experiences of people on the frontlines of climate change. Their tears, their despair, and their determination painted a vivid picture of the stakes at hand.

Amidst these journeys, I took pride in researching, producing, and broadcasting several episodes of Radio Citizen’s pioneering climate change program,?Anga Safi. Naming the program was no small feat—we debated options like?Gumzo la Tabianchi, which felt too complex for our audience. After much deliberation,?Anga Safi?(meaning “Clear Skies”) emerged as the perfect fit, resonating with listeners and encapsulating the hope for a cleaner, healthier planet. The program quickly became one of the most respected voices on climate change and climate action in Kenya.

These efforts did not go unnoticed. I was honored to join a team of journalists from various media houses, primarily editors, in a series of consultative forums organized by the Kenya Editors Guild and funded by GIZ. Our mission was to develop protocols and a curriculum to build the capacity of journalists across the country, empowering them to tell compelling climate stories and enhance understanding among key stakeholders, communities, and the government. I led the digital team on this. The stakes are high: misinformation on climate change can exacerbate the crisis, making it imperative for journalists to be equipped with the knowledge and skills to report accurately and effectively.

Reflecting on this journey, I am reminded of the power of storytelling. Radio, with its intimate connection to communities, has the unique ability to humanize complex issues like climate change. Through my work, I have seen how stories can inspire action, foster resilience, and drive change. The African Climate Summit was not just a moment in time; it was a catalyst for a movement. And as a journalist, I am proud to have played a part in amplifying the voices of those who are often unheard, ensuring that their stories—and their demands for a sustainable future—are brought to the forefront of the global conversation.

Happy World Radio Day, 2025!

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