Main content

The Kenyan influencer championing climate denial

Climate change deniers find a new champion: a Kenyan farmer. On social media, he has become known as a flag bearer for fossil fuels, but is there more to him than meets the eye?

Jusper Machogu is a farmer from southwestern Kenya who describes himself as a 鈥渃limate sceptic鈥: he wrongly claims that climate change is a 鈥渟cam鈥 or a 鈥渉oax鈥 designed to hold Africa back. On social media, he has also become known as a staunch defender of fossil fuel exploration in Africa.

His views have caught the eye of those in the West who, like him, deny the overwhelming scientific consensus on global warming. They have helped him grow his following and spread his message globally. But, in doing so, has Mr Machogu unwittingly become a tool for the fossil fuel industry? And, on a rapidly warming planet, just how dangerous is the message of social media influencers like him?

Presenter/producer: Marco Silva
Editor: Flora Carmichael

Available now

18 minutes

Last on

Mon 17 Jun 2024 02:32GMT

Broadcasts

  • Sat 15 Jun 2024 10:32GMT
  • Sat 15 Jun 2024 15:32GMT
  • Sun 16 Jun 2024 03:32GMT
  • Sun 16 Jun 2024 10:32GMT
  • Sun 16 Jun 2024 23:32GMT
  • Mon 17 Jun 2024 02:32GMT

Podcast