ELDORET, Kenya, May 15 (Xinhua) -- Kenyan President William Ruto on Wednesday called on the country's military to help the government intensify efforts to tackle climate change.
Ruto, who was speaking during the pass-out parade for Kenya Defense Forces (KDF) officers at the Recruits Training School in Eldoret, about 300 km west of Nairobi, the country's capital, said climate change is the biggest threat to the country's development and prosperity.
"As you secure our nation from emerging security threats, climate change is also going to be our biggest threat. This is why we must mobilize the military to provide solutions to such emerging issues," he said.
The Kenyan leader said the military should lead the way by providing mechanisms, in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment, for achieving the goal of 15 billion tree plantings by 2032.
Kenya is also among the Horn of Africa countries receiving enhanced rainfall that has resulted in devastating flooding and landslides across the country.
The unusual seasonal rains, compounded by the El Nino weather pattern, have killed 289 people and caused chaos in many parts of Kenya, a country that is highly vulnerable to climate change.
Ruto said the recent floods, which affected many parts of the country and caused loss of lives and property, were a consequence of climate change.
"The government is committed to relocating and resettling affected families and to significantly enhancing national disaster response capabilities to be even better prepared for future emergencies," Ruto said. ■
