NAIROBI, Kenya – In honour of Earth Hour 2026, the Old Mutual Tower in Nairobi turned off its lights at 8 p.m. last night, joining millions of individuals in more than 190 nations and territories who gave one hour back to the environment.
Earth Hour 2026 took place on Saturday, 28 March 2026. The global switch-off moment was at 20:30 local time in each participating location.
This Earth Hour, Old Mutual Kenya became one of the nation’s leading corporate voices for the environment thanks to the switch-off, which was done in collaboration with WWF-Kenya.
WWF organises Earth Hour, the biggest grassroots environmental movement in the world. It has motivated people, groups, and communities to take significant action for the environment and climate since its debut in 2007.
This year is Earth Hour’s 20th anniversary, a significant occasion that calls for contemplation of two decades of group effort and a fresh resolve to go further.
Earth Hour 2026 holds special significance for Kenya. The nation’s natural ecosystems are under increasing strain, from land degradation and deforestation to the worsening effects of climate change on wildlife and populations.
WWF-Kenya speaks out
Therefore, Old Mutual Kenya’s choice to dim one of Nairobi’s most identifiable and iconic structures makes it abundantly evident that the private sector has a responsibility to play that goes beyond compliance.
WWF-Kenya CEO, Jackson Kiplagat, lauded Old Mutual for agreeing to ‘stand’ with WWF-Kenya, an independent, locally registered, non-governmental conservation organisation, on Earth Hour 2026.
“This is exactly the kind of partnership Kenya needs: business and conservation working side by side, sending a signal from our skyline that the private sector is ready to lead on nature,” said Kiplagat.
Inside Earth Hour 2026
According to Kiplagat, Earth Hour is twenty years old, but the urgency it represents has never been greater.
“Kenya’s forests, wildlife, and communities cannot wait, and moments like last night remind us that when we act together, change is possible,” added Kiplagat.
The global topic of Earth Hour 2026 is “Give an Hour for Earth”, a call to action that invites people and organisations to spend sixty minutes doing something good for the environment.
Communities in Africa have long gone beyond the symbolic lights-off gesture, leading the way in community-led conservation activity that is now a model for the worldwide movement.
Africa recorded a record 171,531 hours of environmental action during Earth Hour in 2024. By taking personal action for the environment and recording it at earthhour.org, members of the public are urged to join the worldwide movement.
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