Ruto & 4 Kenyans Named In Top 100 Global List Alongside Avengers Actors, Pharrell, Elon Musk

President William Ruto on Monday, September 23 joined an illustrious list of change-making activists, scientists, academics, philanthropists, political leaders, business and tech leaders, and fashion entrepreneurs in The Independent Climate 100 List 2024.

The list is the first of its kind by the British media organisation, The Independent, whose online newspaper has been running since 2016 after its hard copy newspapers ceased as print editions.

"The Climate 100 List isn’t in order of importance, nor does it compare or rank one changemaker against another. Instead, it’s a celebration of the people and companies dedicated to finding positive climate solutions.

"Some have made a splash recently with a notable contribution to the fight, while others, such as King Charles and Jane Goodall, are celebrated for their longevity. We also asked you, our readers, to nominate five unsung climate heroes, and they are included on the list too," the publication stated in part.

Side by side of Wawa Gatheru and Wanjira Mathai (daughter of Wangari Mathai). /THE INDEPENDENT

The Independent recognized President Ruto's leadership style since 2022, with Kenya expanding its renewables sector, particularly in geothermal, wind, and solar power.

Ruto was also hailed for emphasising the importance of reforestation and the protection of natural resources. "He introduced an annual tree-planting holiday last November as part of his larger ambition for Kenya to plant 15 billion trees in 10 years," the publication indicated.

The Kenyan President was also recognised for pledging to end the use of fossil fuels in Kenya’s electricity production by 2030 and encouraging sustainable farming practices and water management.

One key achievement by Ruto was in September 2023 when he hosted the first Africa Climate Summit in the capital, Nairobi, which ended in a joint declaration demanding that major polluters commit more resources to help poorer nations.

The publication however cited Ruto's lowest point, being the anti-Finance Bill protests that saw Parliament buildings set on fire and more than 50 people killed.

"This came after Ruto’s controversial finance bill, which many Kenyans believed would be unaffordable, and was proposed following the restructuring of Kenya’s international debt earlier this year. After the riots, many measures were dropped, but the proposed taxes on eco-measures, which included items such as disposable nappies, are being amended," the statement added.

Other than Ruto, four Kenyans were recognised for various advocacy initiatives in preserving the environment. They include Wawa Gatheru who is the the founder of Black Girl Environmentalist, an organisation that empowers girls and women of colour.

Mithika Mwenda who is the co-founder of the Pan-African Climate Justice Alliance (PACJA) was also celebrated for working with communities and the government to address the impact of climate change.

The other two Kenyans were Wanjira Mathai (daughter of Wangari Mathai) and Charlot Magayi. "Mathai runs her own organisation, the World Resources Institute Africa, which supports female entrepreneurs and is a prominent voice at the UN on climate and justice in finance," the media house added.

"Charlot Magayi was raised in the Mukuru slums in Nairobi, and after becoming a mother at 16, she got a job selling charcoal. On seeing the effects of charcoal fumes on her village and both her and her daughter’s health, Magayi invented a clean stove in 2017 that uses biomass to cook, reducing pollution by as much as 90 per cent."

Ruto and four of his countrypeople were named in the Top 100 list which includes Marvel's The Avengers actors Don Cheadle and Mark Ruffalo, world-famous actor Leonardo DiCaprio, British singer Sting, Canadian model and actress Sabrina Dhowre Elba and American singer Pharrell Williams.

Others include United Nations (UN) Secretary-General António Guterres, King Charles III and Prince William, Microsoft founder Bill Gates, Ford Foundation President Darren Walker and US President Joe Biden.

Side by side of Charlot Magayi and Mithika Mwenda. /THE INDEPENDENT.GERMAN CLIMATE PAVILLION