"I'd really like Kenya to become a green Kenya."
In this interview, we speak with CRIN’s Climate Adviser Shirley Akinyi Ochieng, a 15-year-old environmental activist from Kenya who has been leading projects, campaigns and conversations advocating for the protection of her country’s environment. She discusses the impact of climate change in her community, as well as the importance of community awareness, government accountability and why children’s perspectives are needed in climate decision-making.
CRIN’s Children’s Access to Environmental Justice project is producing research on 45 countries examining how laws and policies protect - or fail to protect - children’s environmental rights. These legal focused research reports are just the start of our work on this issue. We think it’s important to start with a solid foundation and understanding of what the law says, but we want to build on this in collaboration with others.
We recently launched our legal report on Children’s Access to Environmental Justice in Kenya - but this report is only one side of the story. We also want to hear directly from those advocating for children’s environmental rights from the countries our project assesses. Through interviews, we aim to explore how findings on what the law says about climate justice relates to and/or can support the efforts of those at the forefront of the movement.
CRIN: Can you share a moment or experience that first made you care deeply about the environment?
Shirley: When I was 10-years-old I saw how plastic waste and pollution were affecting my community in Kisumu, next to Lake Victoria. The surrounding rivers were being choked by waste. And then I realised how much damage it was causing people and animals - mostly the fish in the water. That was the moment I felt like I had to take action.
Where I live, I had friends who were living near the lake and whose houses were flooded, and their belongings were taken by the water, so they couldn't go to school. I had to give them some of my clothes. Then I got interested in why the floods happened [in the first place].
Also here in Kisumu, we like eating fish a lot - especially this small fish called omena. Yesterday when my mum went to buy it in the market, there weren’t any available; the woman selling them said there are no omena nowadays. They are gone.
What keeps you motivated to continue taking action on environmental issues today?
Shirley: I'm motivated by children like me who deserve a safe and healthy future, knowing that my voice can inspire others and that small actions can create a big change. I also look up to young activists in Kenya and around the world who show that age doesn't limit their impact.
From what you have experienced, how do environmental issues affect the everyday lives of children in Kenya? / How are children and young people most impacted by the climate crisis in your country?
Shirley: Many children in Kenya face floods, droughts and heatwaves, so this disrupts school, causes water shortages and even leads to diseases. Some families are displaced - and children lose their rights to education, health and a safe environment. Diseases [also occur] when there are floods; when the water settles, it becomes stagnant, and then mosquitoes breed and there's a lot of malaria in the area.
If the environment is harmed and this has consequences on children’s rights, what do you think should be done about it? Who should be responsible, and how can children get help or speak up when this happens?
Shirley: Governments and leaders should take responsibility by creating and enforcing stronger environmental policies. At the same time, children should be supported with safe spaces to speak up, because our voices matter in the decisions that affect us directly.
What do strong environmental policies look like?
Shirley: After the floods, when the environment is harmed and children can't go to school or they are displaced, the government can put up tents for them to live in as they wait for their houses to be rebuilt.
The government should also help people not to live near the lake or away from where the flooding happens the most. Also, the weather forecast should warn people earlier when there's flooding [expected], if there'll be heavy rainfall. The [Kenyan] government should make sure that the national TV stations tell the weather earlier, enough for people to prepare for flooding. They could also put up workshops that teach people this stuff, like floods and climate change. Prevention measures like planting trees can also reduce the floods.
What does the word “justice” mean to you when we talk about protecting the environment and children’s rights?
Shirley: I feel like justice just means fairness because - like every child - no matter where they come from, they have the right to clean air, safe water, a healthy environment and health. It also means holding polluters and decision-makers accountable when children's rights are violated.
What are some of the ways children and young people in Kenya are working to promote and improve climate justice?
Shirley: Children and youth in Kenya mostly organise clean-ups or school environmental clubs, which are very popular here. Almost all schools have environmental clubs or wildlife clubs, and also tree planting [initiatives] and campaigns online. Many of us use our voices on platforms, in competitions and at forums to demand urgent climate action. We also have the First Lady’s Mazingira awards, a competition for school-aged children [who advocate for environmental protection]. There are different competitions for different age groups, as well as different awards for different forms of writing. My sister is competing in the poem award, with a poem speaking about air pollution. We are waiting to hear if she will get her award - but [I’m confident] she will win! Those sorts of competitions are very popular right now in Kenya, as well as the online campaigns. I’m trying to work on a campaign #childrensvoicematters, although I’ve not published it yet.
How can we make sure that children from all backgrounds and with all kinds of abilities can take part in environmental action?
Shirley: By creating inclusive spaces where every child feels welcome, whether in schools, communities or online. Also providing equal access to information, resources and mentorship can help ensure that no child is left behind. I'm part of an organisation called Mtoto News in Kenya that helps children by giving them a platform. We work with children across Kenya, even the places where it's a desert, like Turkana, making it an inclusive space with children from different places in Kenya. Then those children attending international summits [like the UN Environment Assembly (UNEA-7), which will take place in December in Nairobi] can share what they learnt with their friends in the community. Having more organisations that do that can help all children from all backgrounds and abilities to take part in environmental action.
What are some of the biggest challenges children and young people face when trying to have a say in climate justice conversations and decisions in Kenya? What needs to change to make it easier for children and young people to be part of environmental decision-making that affects them?
Shirley: The biggest challenge is that children's voices are often ignored. There is limited access to decision-making spaces, and some lack resources or support to participate. To change this, governments and organisations should intentionally include children in planning, policy-making and provide platforms for us to speak.
An example is a 12-year-old friend of mine who is also an environmentalist: she got some funding, which she wanted [to use] to dig bore holes in the desert, but the government refused to give her a permit because she's 12. They told her she has to be 18-years-old to dig boreholes. But if there were no age restriction, people from that place could have had water. Ignoring voices and restrictions on age are often a challenge [to participation].
Have you ever engaged with national institutions, the courts or the law in your country as part of your advocacy? If yes, in what ways? If not, in what other ways do you try to make change through your campaigning?
Shirley: I haven't yet reached national institutions like courts because, before a young person like me can go to court for an environmental problem, you have to have someone to support you - someone from the government. So, for now, I'm still working with people from the local government and my peers.
Through my advocacy work I have engaged with local leaders, schools and organisations - people like the Governor of Kisumu County, the honourable Peter Anyang' Nyong'o, and our City Manager, the honourable Michael Abala Wanga. But I still believe change can also happen through awareness-raising campaigns, education and youth-led projects that push institutions to act.
What role do you think environmental education in schools could play in the protection of the environment in Kenya?
Shirley: Environmental education is powerful because it shapes habits from a young age. If schools include sustainability in the daily practices and lessons, children will grow up caring for the planet. For example, if you tell a child not to litter because it will harm animals,they [will probably] pick up the litter.
In my school, there's a subject called global citizenship, which is all about climate change, environment and the Sustainable Development Goals. I feel that if most schools had that subject (my school is an international school, so not all schools have that subject) it could help children to learn about environmental conservation from a young age. The Kenyan government should invest in such subjects. The environment is in a critical state and it needs everyone's support and help.
What would be your dream for Kenya’s environment in the next 10 years, and what role do you think children can play in making it happen?
Shirley: In the next 10 years, I'd really like Kenya to become a green Kenya: a country leading African renewable energy, clean cities and restored ecosystems. Kisumu is the cleanest city in Kenya and the second cleanest in the region. I'd like a healthy Kenya where every child and community has access to clean water, affordable health care and nutritious food. I'd also like something like an educated Kenya [where there’s] equal access to quality education, especially for girls and vulnerable children. The government just cut funds for public schools and they want parents to pay more money, so I would really like to see [not only] an educated Kenya, but also a fair one. I’d also like it to be a nation where children's voices matter, with young people involved in decision-making.
Meanwhile the role that children can play is to raise our voices because we are the next generation who are going to inherit this earth. We are the ones who are going to suffer the consequences if we don't act right now. The role we can play is planting trees - simple things also matter. Planting trees, doing clean-ups, doing awareness raising, making sure that everyone is involved. We should also tell our parents about environmental conservation.
We are coming to the end of the interview, but before we conclude... Is there a message you would like to share with readers?
Shirley: My message for children who are my age or younger would be to say your voice matters and not wait to grow up to make a difference. Start from where you are with what you have. Together, we are the generation that can heal our planet and build a brighter future for us and a better world for all.
And I'd like to say this message for the adults and for the leaders: you should listen to children and not see them as just as dreamers of tomorrow, but as partners of today. When you support our voices and actions, we are investing in a good world that is stronger, greener and more just for everyone.
About Shirley Akinyi Ochieng
Shirley Akinyi Ochieng is a 15-year-old environmentalist, climate activist and one of CRIN’s Climate Advisers. She currently serves as Ambassador of the Kisumu Greening Initiative, a programme that aims to increase tree cover and green spaces in Kisumu city. She has also worked on projects such as clean-ups, sustainability campaigns, awareness-raising initiatives in her community and has planted over 1,000 trees. Shirley has additionally represented young voices in national and international platforms - including essay competitions with UNICEF - and has won many awards (such as the Green Kids Award, Eco-warrior award and the most outstanding environmentalist of the year KSA). She collaborates with organisations such as Black Girls Rising.
Read other interviews on access to environmental justice with children and young people, including Nicki Becker in Argentina.
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