The debate on economic growth is undergoing a radical surgery. In a compelling op-ed, Erastus Njoroge argues that green development finance is no longer a luxury for the virtuous, but an urgent survival strategy for Kenya’s economy that can no longer be ignored.

Climate risk has mutated into a direct economic risk. Njoroge posits that the traditional models of financing development are obsolete if they do not account for the environmental cost. "Climate-resilient projects fail less often," he writes, dismantling the myth that green finance is expensive charity. Instead, he presents it as the only prudent way to secure long-term fiscal stability.

Three Pillars of Resilience

The argument is built on three national benefits: reducing long-term fiscal risk, attracting global capital, and ensuring project longevity. Public investments that wash away with the next flood are not assets; they are liabilities. Njoroge calls for a framework where every shilling spent on infrastructure is insulated against the vagaries of a changing climate.

• Fiscal Prudence: By investing in resilient projects, the government avoids the costly cycle of reconstruction, effectively saving tax money in the long run.
• Global Alignment: The world’s capital is moving towards green bonds and sustainable funds. Kenya must align its financial architecture to tap into this global liquidity.

A Call to Action

The piece serves as a wake-up call to the Treasury and financial planners. The message is clear: the cost of inaction is far higher than the cost of transition.As Kenya seeks to industrialize, it must do so with a green blueprint, or risk building an economy on sinking sand.