President William Ruto has been named as one of the most influential Africans in 2023 by the New African magazine.

President Ruto was recognized for his efforts in changing the position of Africa in the climate change debate. 

“The inaugural Africa Climate Summit in Nairobi in September, on which Ruto staked his reputation as a global leader of substance, was a major success,” read a section of the magazine.

Ruto’s most profound impact during the COP28 Summit was to completely overturn the accepted status quo of Africa as the victim of climate change, looking for salvation from outside powers.

He posited Africa as uniquely able not only to confront climate change but to lead the rest of the world into the necessary but painful transition away from fossil fuels to renewables. 

READ ALSO: President William Ruto among four African leaders recognised by Time Magazine

“In Africa, we can be a green industrial hub that helps other regions achieve their net zero strategies by 2050.

“Unlocking the renewable energy resources that we have in our continent is not only good for Africa, but the rest of the world,” said President Ruto during COP28. 

In addition, he announced that 13 November would be Kenya Tree Planting Day, a holiday during which cabinet secretaries and other top government officials lead Kenyans in planting trees across the country.

READ ALSO: “Africa committed to guide the globe towards inclusive climate action” – President Ruto

According to the Ministry of Environment, the government was taking advantage of the El Nino rains to launch a campaign towards growing 15 billion trees by 2032. 

“We aim to grow at least 100 Million seedlings on this day, across the Country. The national target for the short rains season is 500 million seedlings,” read part of a statement from the Ministry of Environment.

The president launched the tree planting exercise on November 13 in a national event at Kiu Wetland in Makindu, Makueni County.

Other Kenyans on the list include Equity Group CEO James Mwangi, World 1500m champion Faith Kipyegon, Environmentalist Wanjira Mathai, and Historian Chao Maina.

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Climate Strategist James Irungu,  Celebrity Chef Ali Mandhry, filmmaker Wanuri Kahiu, and Marathoner Kelvin Kiptum were also listed.

This comes just a month after American ‘Time Magazine’ named President Ruto as one of the top 100 most influential leaders worldwide.