Kenyan Farmer Emerges as Unexpected Voice in Climate Change Denial Debate
In an unexpected turn, Kenyan farmer Jusper Machogu has risen to prominence as a vocal climate change skeptic, gaining significant attention on social media for his controversial views. The 29-year-old farmer from Kisii, in south-west Kenya, has garnered a substantial following on X (formerly known as Twitter), where he shares glimpses of his daily farming activities, such as weeding, planting garlic, and harvesting avocados. However, it is his outspoken denial of man-made climate change that has significantly amplified his online presence.
Machogu’s social media journey took a dramatic turn when he began sharing debunked theories about climate change, leading to a surge in followers and financial support. Despite receiving thousands of dollars in donations, some from Western individuals linked to fossil fuel interests, Machogu maintains that his views are independently formed and genuinely held.
Contrary to the scientific consensus that human activities, particularly the burning of fossil fuels, are accelerating global warming, Machogu argues otherwise. In a February tweet, he asserted, “Climate change is mostly natural. A warmer climate is good for life,” and frequently uses the hashtag #ClimateScam to voice his skepticism.
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has highlighted that while Africa contributes minimally to global greenhouse gas emissions, it is extremely vulnerable to climate impacts such as severe heatwaves, droughts, and floods. Despite this, Machogu insists that “there is no climate crisis,” and suggests that the climate change narrative is a strategy by Western nations to hinder Africa’s development.
Kenyan climate scientist Joyce Kimutai, who has contributed to IPCC reports, criticizes Machogu’s stance, attributing it to a lack of understanding. “This is not religion, this is not just belief. It’s about analyzing the data and seeing changes in the data. Saying that climate change is a hoax is just really not true,” she stated.
Machogu’s journey into climate change denial began in late 2021 after conducting his “own research” on the topic. He subsequently launched the “Fossil Fuels for Africa” campaign, advocating for the continent’s utilization of its oil, gas, and coal reserves. This perspective resonates with some African leaders, like Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, who view Western restrictions on fossil fuel use as hypocritical.
However, climate activists, such as Ugandan Nicholas Omonuk, highlight the negative consequences of fossil fuel exploration in Africa, citing Nigeria’s Niger Delta, where long-term oil extraction has led to poverty, health risks, and pollution.
Despite the controversy, Machogu has built a substantial following of over 25,000 users on X, though BBC Verify discovered that most interactions come from users in the US, UK, and Canada, many of whom promote various conspiracy theories. This online community has been instrumental in supporting Machogu’s campaign financially.
Machogu has openly shared the ways he has utilized donations, including furnishing his new home and supporting local families by building a borehole, distributing gas bottles, and connecting homes to the electricity grid. He denies that donations have influenced his climate change views, stating, “Nobody has told me to change my views. I don’t have a problem with making money while saying what I believe I should say or doing what’s good for my community.”
His international influence has been notable, with Canadian author Jordan Peterson endorsing him and a US fossil fuel advocate sponsoring his trip to a South African oil and gas conference. Additionally, a UK film crew interviewed him for a documentary that portrays climate change as an “eccentric environmental scare.”
Amy Westervelt, a US investigative climate reporter, notes that Africa is increasingly seen as a lucrative market for fossil fuel development, making voices like Machogu’s valuable for those interests. However, Dr. Kimutai warns that spreading such conspiracy theories could undermine crucial climate action in Africa, where climate literacy remains low. “That is really, really dangerous,” she cautioned.
