Climate Activists Convene in Kenya for Interfaith Prayer against Fossil Fuel Expansion in Africa

The LSM official noted that the vigil also sought to produce visual and written content to fuel advocacy ahead of the 2025 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30) scheduled for November 10 to 21 in Brazil, ensuring that African faith voices are at the forefront of global climate conversations.

In July, faith groups in Africa also gathered in Nairobi to deliberate on ways to boost their participation in climate summits ahead of the Second Africa Climate Summit (ACS2) and COP30.

The July convention also featured discussions on fossil fuel phase-out, climate finance, and climate adaptation, and also discussions on how to strengthen collaboration among faith-based climate actors.

In their final statement, the faith groupsm challenged African leaders to embrace economic systems that respect the dignity of all people, and not those focused on making profits, as the continent fights to protect biodiversity.

The faith groups that included Catholic representatives urged African leaders to reject “extractive, short-term development models” that sideline citizens.

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The groups instead urged African leaders “to embrace regenerative economic systems that protect biodiversity, restore degraded lands, and centre the dignity of all people.”

In the statement following the August 24 Vigil Prayer, Ms. Kitisya said the action forms part of LSM’s “broader mission to inspire and mobilize Catholic communities and all people of goodwill to care for our common home.”

The Kenyan Catholic environmentalist said that by centering moral and faith-based values, LSM seeks to shift public and political narratives toward a fossil fuel-free future rooted in justice.

She, however, lamented that Africa stands on the frontline of the climate crisis, suffering devastating impacts while contributing the least to global greenhouse gas emissions.

Silas Mwale Isenjia is a Kenyan journalist with a great zeal and interest for Catholic Church related communication. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Linguistics, Media and Communication from Moi University in Kenya. Silas has vast experience in the Media production industry. He currently works as a Journalist for ACI Africa.