Charlene Ruto’s youth ambassadors lead fight against hunger, climate change
First Daughter Charlene Ruto has unveiled a team of 82 young men and women to lead the fight against hunger and climate change in 46 counties in Kenya.
Charlene unveiled the Youth Ambassadors through her SMACHS Foundation at an event held at the Kenya Institute of Special Education (KISE) on Friday, November 29, 2024.
The ambassadors, who are aged between 18 and 32, will champion climate-smart agriculture and mobilise their peers to embrace agriculture and the fight against climate change as part of the Founder’s ambitious ’30 Things’ strategy.
Food insecurity
Speaking at the launch, Charlene Ruto the critical role of young people in addressing today’s challenges.
“Young people are not just victims of climate change and food insecurity – they are innovators, entrepreneurs and agents of change. Through their creativity, leadership and skills, they have the power to transform food production and drive climate action for a sustainable future,” she said.
The selection process attracted more than 1,600 applicants, and 82 were selected based on their leadership potential, passion for agriculture and climate action, problem-solving skills and innovative thinking. Although the programme aimed to recruit 94 ambassadors – 10 per county – some counties had fewer applicants, while Lamu County had none.
Innovative solutions
Despite the importance of agriculture to Kenya’s economy, youth participation in agriculture remains below 30 per cent, according to government data. However, by modernising agriculture through digital and mechanised solutions, the sector could unlock huge employment opportunities for the 800,000 young people entering the workforce each year.
The initiative aligns with the findings of the UNFCCC’s 2023 African Youth Needs for Climate Action report, which found that African youth are deeply concerned about climate change and eager to work with governments and organisations to develop innovative solutions.
The SMACHS Foundation is a youth-led non-profit organisation founded by Charlene.
The foundation is empowering a new generation of leaders to reshape Kenya’s agricultural landscape, promoting food security, climate resilience and economic growth for the nation through smart mechanised agriculture.