Mactilda Mbenywe

Kenya

News Reporter at The Standard (Kenya)

Impact storytelling. #Climate #Science and #Environment journalist @standardkenya

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Articles

IMO banks on strict rules to curb ocean plastic pollution

2 weeks ago | standardmedia.co.ke | Mactilda Mbenywe

The war on plastic pellets has received a major boost at the ongoing International Maritime summit in London. This is after the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) Sub-Committee on Pollution Prevention and Response agreed on a draft 2025 Action Plan to address marine plastic litter from ships. The plan now awaits approval at the end of this week by the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC 83). Plastic pellet pollution is not just a problem for rich nations.
Why Africa's voice matters at this week's global shipping summit

2 weeks ago | standardmedia.co.ke | Mactilda Mbenywe

You’re likely reading this article on a device assembled in Asia, using materials shipped from anywhere in the world. After it was made, your phone or laptop most likely travelled where you are on a massive ship powered by one of the world’s largest diesel engines. These ships, operating day and night, are part of a global network responsible for moving 90 percent of the world’s trade. However, this maritime activity comes at a hefty environmental cost.
Kenya joins high seas battle for emissions levy at IMO

2 weeks ago | standardmedia.co.ke | Mactilda Mbenywe

Kenya has declared its support for adopting a shipping levy at the International Maritime Organisation (IMO). In a joint open letter released during the International Maritime Organization’s Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC 83), Kenya’s Special Climate Envoy Ali Mohamed joined over 50 nations calling for a universal greenhouse gas (GHG) levy on shipping. The signatories represent more than two-thirds of the global fleet.
Kenya secures Sh50b to connect one million homes to electricity

2 months ago | standardmedia.co.ke | Mactilda Mbenywe

The Ministry of Energy has mobilized nearly KSh50 billion to connect one million new customers to electricity over the next two years. The plan aims to push overall coverage to 80 percent and reduce reliance on biomass, currently used by 68 percent of the population for cooking which contributes to carbon emissions and health risks.
Why Trump's fossil fuel blitz heralds a dark era in carbon reduction

Jan 21, 2025 | standardmedia.co.ke | Mactilda Mbenywe

Donald Trump has wasted no time in declaring a national “energy emergency,” paving the way for new fossil fuel drilling projects. He also outlined his plan to overturn key climate policies enacted under the previous administration. His agenda includes rolling back emissions standards and halting offshore wind leasing. He revoked a freeze on liquefied natural gas (LNG) export approvals and reopened vast tracts of federal land for drilling.
Africa's shared resources at a crossroads as disputes blight benefits

Jan 17, 2025 | standardmedia.co.ke | Mactilda Mbenywe

Africa’s growing demand for electricity has put a spotlight on shared water basins, cross-border power lines, and regional energy corridors. These resources could unlock cheaper, cleaner, and more reliable electricity for millions. However, geopolitical tensions threaten to undermine cooperation and slow regional projects. Experts warn that African countries must resolve political disputes if they want to exploit hydropower, solar fields, and gas deposits across borders.
Redesign clean energy funding, African Ministers demand

Jan 17, 2025 | standardmedia.co.ke | Mactilda Mbenywe

A section of African ministers is urging a comprehensive review of how renewable energy projects on the continent are financed, citing rising debt levels and fears over increased foreign policy influence. They say Africa needs sustainable funding that fosters self-reliance, boosts economic growth, and balances public and private interests.
Walkouts, weak deals and COP29 failures

Nov 24, 2024 | standardmedia.co.ke | Mactilda Mbenywe

COP29 concluded as a damp squid in Baku, Azerbaijan, early Sunday morning. The summit, billed as the “Climate Finance COP,” ended with developed nations pledging a paltry $300 billion annually by 2035 to support vulnerable nations in addressing the escalating climate crisis. This commitment fell significantly short of the $1.3 trillion which economists and experts had called for, which left developing countries a disappointed lot with faint hope.
The walkouts, weak deals and how COP29 failed the Global South

Nov 24, 2024 | standardmedia.co.ke | Mactilda Mbenywe

COP29 concluded as a damp squid in Baku, Azerbaijan, early Sunday morning. The summit, billed as the “Climate Finance COP,” ended with developed nations pledging a paltry $300 billion annually by 2035 to support vulnerable nations in addressing the escalating climate crisis. This commitment fell significantly short of the $1.3 trillion which economists and experts had called for, which left developing countries a disappointed lot with faint hope.
Nations slam weak climate finance plan as global talks end

Nov 22, 2024 | standardmedia.co.ke | Mactilda Mbenywe

The closing hours of COP29 in Azerbaijan were fraught with tension and anticipation, after the tabling of a new climate finance plan, which proposed an annual target of Sh32.3 trillion (US$250 billion) by 2035 for developing countries, a figure that sparked immediate backlash. Delegations from developing countries argued that the proposed amount is both insufficient and misaligned with the urgent needs of vulnerable nations grappling with the climate crisis.