US Special Envoy John Kerry Lauds William Ruto's Leadership At Continental Summit: "You Can Feel It"

• US Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry praised President William Ruto's speech during the second day of the Africa Climate Summit
• The diplomate said Ruto's speech set a clear path that serves as a blueprint for the African continent
• According to Kerry, this year's continental summit was unique, as it was talking about solutions and not just mere problems

Nairobi - The United States Presidential Envoy for Climate, John Kerry, has praised President William Ruto for his outstanding leadership in the ongoing African Climate Summit 2023.

John Kerry says Ruto setting pace for Africa

In his speech on Tuesday, September 5, at the Kenyatta International Conference Centre (KICC), Kerry described Ruto's leadership as palpable.

Unlike the previous summit, the US diplomat said the ongoing continental conference aimed to provide solutions to climate change.

"As I listened, something was happening. This is different. I think, Mr. President, I should just say to you that your leadership is palpable; you can feel it,” John Kerry said.

The diplomat praised Ruto for his bold initiative in championing countermeasures to address climate change and hosting an international event to propose solutions to climate change.

According to Kerry, the speech by Ruto during the second day of the climate summit set a clear path that serves as a blueprint for the African continent.

The diplomat pointed out that through Ruto’s excellent speech, everyone could see that Africa was meeting, speaking and deciding about its future.

“Nothing could make a greater difference, I think, on a global basis given what you just heard from the president about the remarkable resources in Africa, he added.

How much did the US pledge toward Africa

In a related development, the US Presidential Special announced the country’s pledge of KSh 4.3 billion annually to build climate resilience in Africa.

Kerry disclosed that Washington was working on a fund to help nations affected by climate change respond to emergencies.

“As part of implementing President Joe Biden’s Emergency Plan for Adaptation and Resilience (PREPARE) – an initiative launched at the COP26 in Glasgow, I’m pleased to announce the US’ intent to provide an additional KSh 4.3 billion to accelerate climate-resilient food security efforts across Africa,” Kerry said.

Kerry said President Joe Biden’s administration will first provide KSh 3 billion to the Africa Adaptation Initiative for the Food Security Accelerator, which will invest in African agricultural businesses and help them create independent and climate-resilient supply chains.

“Second, KSh 1.4 billion will go to the Climate Resilience and Adaptation Finance and Technology Transfer Facility to scale technologies advancing adaptation like cold chain storage, which helps maintain the quality and safety of food from the farm into people's homes,” he added.