The Time Magazine has ranked Kenyan President William Ruto among the top 100 most influential leaders in 2023.
In the rankings published on Thursday, November 16, praised President Ruto leadership in terms of climate change in Africa continent.
The US-based publication specifically praised the Kenyan Head of State for hosting the Africa Climate Summit in Nairobi which earned Africa Ksh.3.5 in funding green projects.
“William Ruto is the president of Kenya, where he emerged as a leader on green investment for Africa. Kenya hosted this year’s inaugural Africa Climate Summit, which secured $23 billion in funding for green projects for the continent. As part of Kenya’s efforts to increase electricity access of the grid is supplied by low carbon resources,” Time stated in parts.
UDA Praises Ruto
The United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party congratulated President Ruto for making it to the Times top 100 list.
In a statement, UDA Secretary General Cleophas Malala said Kenya is implementing the climate change policies under Ruto’s leadership.
Times Magazine Interview
In an interview with the Times Magazine, President Ruto said Africa can offer climate positive growth if providers bring down the cost of capital.
“The overstating of risk is true even before considering the downside risk and costs of inadequate climate action. If that is incorporated, the cost of capital in Africa could come down even further, since Africa can offer climate positive growth, it can be a globally cost competitive climate action powerhouse, greening global supply and manufacturing chains and removing carbon,” said Ruto.
Further, he said this will need concerted efforts from multilateral and development banks, governments, credit rating agencies and private investors.
Additionally, the president emphasized that Africa could provide affordable renewable energy, green products and climate conservation and restoration.
Also Read: Why Ukraine War is a Convenient Excuse for Ruto – Experts
Others on the List
Ruto was ranked alongside popular names such as American Youtuber Jimmy Donaldson alias Mr Beast who recently captured the hearts of Kenyans following his remarkable efforts to build 100 wells in Africa, 52 of them in Kenya.
His YouTube channel has the highest number of subscribers in the world, which stands at well over 207 million, which makes him the world’s highest-paid YouTuber and the face of stunt philanthropy.
“At TIME, we believe there has never been a more urgent need for solutions-oriented climate journalism. We are thrilled to further this mission—and to empower business leaders and individuals to take climate action—with the inaugural TIME100 Climate list,” said TIME Chief Executive Officer Jessica Sibley.
Also included are American singer and songwriter Billie Eilish, British rock band, Coldplay, popular Avatar film-maker James Cameron and renowned billionaire Bill Gates.
“Climate leadership is embedded across all of our coverage today. But we believe more could be done to draw attention to the people who are shaping and leading climate action,” wrote TIME Editor-in-Chief Sam Jacobs.
Others include the United States (US) Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry, World Bank President Ajay Banga, Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley and Bill Gates’ ex-wife, Melinda French Gates.
