Upon the completion of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) elections of a new bureau that were taking place in Kenya Nairobi from July 26-28th, Kenya celebrates the election of Dr. Cromwell Lukorito- a Kenyan Scientist as vice chair Group II.
Kenya’s Cromwell Lukorito, a lecturer and researcher at the University of Nairobi Department of Earth and Climate Sciences, specializing in Climate Science and application in Agriculture and Food Systems, won the highly contested vice chair position.
Having beaten a close competitor for the position of vice chair of the IPCC Working Group II, Sudan’s candidate Hana Hamadala garnered 44 votes against Cromwell Lukorito’s 101 votes. This occurrence has placed Kenya in the high-level spot that is trusted to further impact positively the adaptation and actions in the space of climate action.
The role will require him to provide guidance to the IPCC on scientific and technical aspects as well as to advise on related management and strategic issues.
According to Cromwell Lukorito, Kenya’s strong conviction, and position of supporting the urgent forums for scientists played a key role in his win of the highly competitive seat in the IPCC. He revealed his intentions to develop a database of scientists, natural and social scientists.
“I felt excited, appreciated, and challenged. I was excited because it was my first time entering the contest at a global level and competing with long-serving competitors. I will identify researchers to work with Technical Support Units on matters of capacity building and research,” he said.
Emphasizing that Kenya has shown an outstanding capacity in climate action, notably in climate change adaptation. Further saying that Kenya has boldly embraced synthesizing an African position to feed into the scientific-technical and strategic management of the IPCC.
As he takes on his new position, Cromwell Lukorito has noted that he will crucially address Africa’s vulnerability, growing adverse impacts of climate change, and the increasingly unceasing climate risks evident.
