NAIROBI, July 9 (NNN-KBC) — President William Ruto has reiterated Kenya’s steadfast commitment to tackling the escalating global climate crisis, stressing that the country stands firmly behind the principles of sustainable development and climate resilience.
Speaking during the groundbreaking ceremony for the African headquarters of the Global Centre on Adaptation (GCA) at the Kenya School of Government in Lower Kabete on Tuesday, Ruto described the centre’s establishment as “timely, strategic, and visionary.”
“It will serve as a regional platform for policy dialogue, cutting-edge research, and capacity-building to accelerate climate adaptation.” he said.
The new facility will serve the Global South, complementing GCA’s existing headquarters in Rotterdam, Netherlands, which focuses on adaptation efforts in the Global North.
“This centre will serve as a regional hub for policy dialogue, advanced research, and capacity-building to accelerate climate adaptation,” the President stated.
He noted that the institution will be constructed at a cost of KSh1.7 billion, fully funded by partners, without any financial burden on the Government of Kenya.
President Ruto indicated that the Nairobi headquarters will unite researchers, practitioners, policymakers, and development partners to develop and implement effective climate solutions.
“We aim to place climate adaptation at the heart of public service training, performance management, and leadership development,” he said.
The Global Centre on Adaptation was founded in 2018 by former United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon, who currently serves as its Honorary Chairman. President Ruto joined GCA’s Advisory Board in 2023, further establishing Kenya’s global leadership in climate adaptation.
Also present at the event were former Senegalese President Macky Sall, chair of the GCA Supervisory Board, and Prof. Patrick Verkooijen, GCA’s President and CEO and current Chancellor of the University of Nairobi.
Earlier at State House in Nairobi, President Ruto awarded Kenya’s highest national honour, the Chief of the Order of the Golden Heart, to Ban Ki-Moon in recognition of his global leadership on climate adaptation.
In his remarks, Ban declared: “This century is Africa’s century. But Africa can only secure its future if it secures itself from climate shocks.” He stressed the urgency of climate action and called on the world to unite in support of vulnerable nations.
“In the name of humanity, in the name of the Global South, we must speak out,” he urged.
Former President Sall commended Ruto for his bold leadership in promoting green development both locally and globally.
In a separate development, President Ruto signed into law the Division of Revenue Bill, 2025, allocating KSh2.332 trillion to the National Government and KSh415 billion to county governments for the 2025/2026 fiscal year. The law also allocates KSh9.6 billion to the Equalisation Fund, to be distributed among 34 counties to support essential development initiatives.
The KSh415 billion allocation to counties represents an increase of KSh27.6 billion from the previous year, underscoring the government’s ongoing commitment to strengthening devolved governance and promoting equitable development. — NNN-KBC
