Machakos Deputy Governor Francis Mwangangi Speaking in a Past Function. Photo Courtesy FB 
Machakos Deputy Governor Francis Mwangangi has called on Africans to take climate action beyond pledges and symbolic efforts, urging both leaders and citizens to make environmental conservation a priority in daily life.
Speaking in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, at the close of the second African Climate Summit on Tuesday, Mwangangi stressed the importance of honoring commitments made at such global platforms and translating them into tangible actions that directly benefit communities.
“I want to urge Africans and the world, let’s not only plant trees but grow trees so that we can fight the effects of climate change,” Mwangangi said, underscoring that nurturing seedlings to maturity is what will guarantee real impact.
The Deputy Governor, who represented the Machakos County Government at the high-level conference, praised the summit for bringing together African leaders and international partners to confront the pressing challenge of climate change.
“This summit has achieved a lot because we have seen African and world leaders coming together to discuss what is affecting us all. I am very happy about this summit, it is one of the best because it is addressing what can keep human beings alive and protect that which surrounds them,” he said.
Mwangangi also appealed to farmers to embrace climate-smart agriculture, a practice that balances food production with environmental care.
“We need to adopt smart farming where we not only do farming but also take care of the environment by planting as many trees as possible — trees that can give us fruits and shade,” he advised.
While acknowledging the support African nations receive from foreign partners, Mwangangi emphasized the need for stronger local action and accountability.
“I am asking fellow leaders, let’s go out there and honor our commitments by ensuring we put climate issues at the center of our development plans,” he said.
The summit, which brought together heads of state, policymakers, scientists, and climate advocates, ended with renewed pledges to accelerate Africa’s climate resilience agenda, but leaders like Mwangangi insist that the real test lies in action beyond the conference halls.
