By Isaac Akugizibwe

KIU, Main Campus- Hakim Owiny a student of public administration left Kampala for Nairobi on a bicycle on Monday 28th August, 2023 and had anticipated reaching his destination in a week's time only to arrive in Kenya's capital two days before.

Owiny reached Nairobi City at 3:35 AM on Saturday morning and was welcomed by several like-minded youths who awaited him with absolute excitement.

"My first biggest reception during the journey was in Kisumu, where a group of youth got inspired by my journey and also decided to cycle alongside me from Kisumu to Nairobi."

"The Journey was great, above all the reception in different Communities was full of surprise and excitement."

Owiny's Journey was inspired by the need to promote carbon-free spaces in East Africa's major Cities which are at risk of high carbon emissions.

He is attending the Africa Climate Summit, the first of its kind on the Continent after which he will embark on another pulsating Journey back home.

The inaugural Africa Climate Summit championed by HE President Ruto of the Republic of Kenya began on Monday 4th September and is set to end on Wednesday 6th September 2023. It aims to address the increasing exposure to climate change and its associated costs, both globally and particularly in Africa.

With the expectation of escalating climate crises in terms of frequency and intensity, urgent action is required to mitigate these challenges. It is upon this that Owiny wants to buy the leaders' minds on safe transport as a way of mitigating climate change.

"My focus during the #ACS2023 is to amplify the need to rethink about future transport systems that do not emit emissions in our air. Like promoting e-mobility and cycling,"

The Africa Climate Summit is also set to serve as a platform to inform, frame, and influence commitments, pledges, and outcomes, ultimately leading to the development of the Nairobi Declaration.