CS Geoffrey Ruku urges Kenya Red Cross to seek Green Climate Fund accreditation

Speaking during the World First Aid Day 2025 celebrations in Nairobi, CS Ruku revisited a proposal he had made during his time as a Member of Parliament, urging the humanitarian organization to embrace the opportunities offered by the GCF.

“As an MP, when I proposed to the Kenya Red Cross to pursue GCF accreditation, I didn’t receive a favorable response—perhaps the issue wasn’t well understood,” Ruku said. “I now reiterate, in my capacity as Cabinet Secretary, that securing this accreditation is essential.”

He underscored the importance of the GCF, the world’s largest climate finance mechanism, in accelerating transformative climate action in developing countries. Ruku noted that the fund operates through a country-owned, partnership-driven model and leverages climate finance expertise to support long-term resilience.

The event, held alongside the National First Aid Competition in Nairobi, centred on the theme “First Aid and Climate Change,” highlighting the growing urgency of climate-responsive health systems in the face of increasing floods, droughts, and landslides across Kenya.

The Cabinet Secretary urged the Kenya Red Cross and other humanitarian actors to collaborate in creating a cost-effective and coordinated disaster preparedness framework that avoids duplication and maximises impact.

“We must develop a structured framework that reduces costs and enhances efficiency,” Ruku said. “Aligning our resources and strategies is key to serving vulnerable communities more effectively.”

To enhance coordination, Ruku announced that the State Department for Special Programmes will convene a multi-agency meeting in line with Executive Order No. 1 of 2025, which prioritises disaster preparedness and response.

“We are fully committed to implementing the Executive Order and improving coordination across all humanitarian actors,” he affirmed.

Ruku also encouraged the Kenya Red Cross to partner with the Global Centre for Adaptation (GCA)—currently under construction at the Kenya School of Government—which will lead research, innovation, and policy development on climate adaptation.

“I urge the Society to collaborate with the Global Centre and the Government across all 47 counties to strengthen climate change solutions and empower communities through citizen-driven innovations,” he said.

The Cabinet Secretary further called for partnerships between the Kenya Red Cross, the Kenya School of Government, the National Youth Service (NYS), and the State Department for Special Programmes to conduct joint training and disaster response drills.

Later, CS Ruku visited victims of the recent Mukuru Kwa Njenga fire tragedy, assuring them of the government’s continued support.

“The President is clear: every Kenyan deserves safety and swift support in times of crisis. As a Ministry, we are dedicated to ensuring rapid, effective disaster response,” he stated.

Ruku also reaffirmed ongoing efforts to deliver relief in climate-affected regions, including Wajir, Garissa, Kisauni, and Murang’a, stressing the need for community-level first aid training to reduce the human toll of disasters.

“The intersection of first aid and climate change reveals that this is not just an environmental crisis—it is a public health crisis,” he said. “We must equip communities with the knowledge and skills to act decisively when disaster strikes.”

The National First Aid Competition, hosted by the Kenya Red Cross, showcased critical emergency response skills including trauma management, CPR, and bleeding control, reinforcing the importance of preparedness and teamwork in saving lives.