Youth for Land in Africa (YILAA) representatives pose for a photo with some of the youth who participated in the study…Photo/IP
By Main Editor | Bungoma County, Kenya (IP)
Most young people in Bungoma County lack an understanding of climate justice, even as they grapple daily with the visible effects of climate change such as floods, deforestation, and soil erosion.
A new baseline report by the Youth Initiative for Land in Africa (YILAA) reveals that only 27 percent of youth in the county have a clear understanding of climate justice, while most have low or no awareness at all.
The study cites limited funding, land ownership barriers, and exclusion from decision-making as key reasons youth remain sidelined in policies meant to safeguard their environment and future livelihoods.
The study, supported by the Youth Climate Justice Fund, examined levels of youth awareness, participation and barriers in climate change and climate justice initiatives across Webuye East, Mount Elgon and Cheptais sub-counties.
“Climate justice awareness among the youth was generally low, with only 27.6 percent showing high awareness, 46.1 percent moderate to low, and 26.3 percent no awareness,” the report states.
The study involved 1,143 youth aged 18–35 years, using a cross-sectional mixed-method approach that combined questionnaires, focus group discussions, and key informant interviews with officials from the Ministries of Agriculture and Lands.
Ethical protocols such as informed consent and confidentiality were observed, with permissions granted by the Office of the County Commissioner.
While awareness of climate change was moderate, knowledge of its justice dimensions was lacking.
Respondents in Mount Elgon (44%) and Cheptais (47%) identified floods and heavy rainfall as the main effects of climate change, while Webuye East (46%) reported deforestation as the biggest threat.
“The youth are aware of changing weather patterns and deforestation but are less informed about how these link to social and economic inequalities,” the report notes.
Youth participation in climate action was found to be very low. Out of the 1,143 respondents, only 87 youth (7.6 percent) reported involvement in environmental initiatives such as tree planting, community clean-ups, or awareness campaigns.
“In all the sub-counties, youth participation in climate action activities was low,” the report says, citing financial and structural challenges as major barriers.
The findings show that most youth initiatives are small-scale and lack sustainability.
“There have been no deliberate efforts to promote youth participation in climate action,” it adds.
In Webuye East, youth were more likely to be involved in policy discussions due to urban proximity and exposure to NGOs.
In contrast, Mount Elgon and Cheptais face deeper structural challenges, including poverty and limited access to public participation forums.
The study identified several barriers preventing effective youth engagement. These include lack of financial resources, limited access to land, low awareness, cultural restrictions, and gender bias.
In Cheptais, traditional land ownership patterns exclude young people from accessing land for tree planting or conservation projects.
“Youth rarely own land, and this limits their ability to engage in climate mitigation efforts,” the report states.
Gender and cultural norms also hinder young women’s participation.
“Young women are barely involved in environmental initiatives in Mount Elgon due to social expectations and traditional gender roles,” the assessment observes.
Additionally, governance gaps mean that “youth are rarely included in policy and decision-making processes on environmental management.”
Despite these challenges, the report highlights opportunities for engagement through existing national tree-planting campaigns, NGO partnerships, and community-based organizations.
The assessment identified 22 youth-led environmental initiatives — 10 in Webuye East and 12 in Mount Elgon — though none were recorded in Cheptais.
These initiatives include community tree nurseries, awareness drives, and recycling projects.
Webuye East showed the highest awareness of climate justice at 30.8 percent, attributed to its proximity to urban areas and higher connectivity.
“Residents of Webuye East were more likely to be engaged in policy development work primarily due to their proximity to urban areas,” the report notes.
However, it warns that “budgetary and financial shortcomings strongly negate this opportunity.”
The report makes several recommendations to improve youth involvement. It calls for targeted climate justice education through social media, schools, and community radio to “enhance awareness and link environmental issues with social equity.”
It also urges the establishment of “dedicated county-level climate action funds accessible to youth groups,” and advocates for “youth-friendly land tenure policies in areas where ownership is a barrier.”
YILAA further recommends the formation of a Bungoma County Youth Climate Action Network to connect youth-led groups across sub-counties and strengthen collaboration. Regular follow-up assessments are also encouraged every two to three years to track progress.
The baseline report which has since been launched is meant to “disseminate the findings, spark dialogue, and mobilize stakeholders to act on the evidence.”
The move is meant to raise awareness among government agencies, civil society, and development partners about the urgent need for youth inclusion in climate justice.
“The findings provide a foundation for policy advocacy, resource mobilization, and capacity-building interventions that can empower youth to take a more active role in sustainable development,”
The baseline report emphasizes that Bungoma County has an untapped opportunity to engage young people meaningfully in climate action.
“By implementing these recommendations, Bungoma County can unlock the potential of its youth to become active, informed, and influential actors in advancing climate justice and sustainable development,” the report states.
