Kenyan Learners Demand Action on Children's Environmental Rights
By Ms. Teresia Muia
Young environmental advocates challenged government officials, NGOs, and religious leaders to uphold children’s rights to a clean and safe environment. During an online conference hosted by Loyola Centre for Media and Communication (LCMC) on March 26, 2025, learners called out duty bearers for failing to prioritize their environmental future.
Themed Children’s Perspectives on Environmental Rights, the conference brought together officials from the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), the Directorate of Climate Change (Ministry of Environment), Jesuit Refugee Services, the Green Belt Movement, and St. Paul’s Chaplaincy (University of Nairobi), among other educators. The discussion highlighted the urgent need for children’s voices to be included in environmental decision-making processes.
“What actions is the government taking to ensure children in poor and marginalized areas are protected from environmental pollution?” asked Griffin, a student from Mukuru Promotion Centre, putting government officials on the spot. Learners also questioned why environmental rights are not adequately integrated into the education curriculum and called on teachers to play a more active role in environmental awareness.
Participants included students from Edmund Rice Education Centre in Ngong, Nairobi Recyclers in Kawangware, and Mukuru Promotion Centre near the Mukuru dumpsite. Their passion and curiosity left officials stunned, with many promising to push for policies that protect children from environmental harm.
This conference follows a series of environmental empowerment sessions led by LCMC, aligning with the UN’s General Comment 26, which calls for children to be recognized as key stakeholders in climate action and environmental policy discussions. The learners’ demands reinforce the growing global movement advocating for children’s rights in environmental justice.
