How the Climate Crisis is Impacting Kenya

The story of climate change in Kenya isn't a distant, abstract concept. It's a lived reality, unfolding in the daily struggles of the African nation’s people.

From rising temperatures to devastating droughts and floods, Kenyans are seeing the impacts of the climate crisis in their daily lives.

But despite being a low contributor to global greenhouse gas emissions, Kenya is actively working to address the climate crisis. The Kenyan government has developed national climate change action plans and is investing in renewable energy and climate adaptation measures. And efforts are being made to build community resilience, particularly in vulnerable areas.

In the meantime, climate change is significantly impacting Kenya, leading to a range of environmental and socioeconomic challenges.

Droughts

Kenya, particularly its arid and semi-arid lands, is experiencing more frequent and prolonged droughts. Prolonged drought conditions lead to the drying of water sources, causing conflicts between communities over scarce resources.

“Kenya is highly exposed to many natural hazards, the most common being floods and droughts. It is estimated that over 70% of natural disasters in Kenya are attributable to extreme climatic events,” the World Bank writes. “Droughts have affected more people and had the greatest economic impact (8% of GDP every five years). As many as 28 droughts have been recorded in the past 100 years, and these appear to be increasing in frequency.”

In particular, these droughts severely impact farming communities who rely on livestock, leading to widespread animal deaths and food insecurity. The waterholes are drying up, forcing some to trek for days in search of water.

Floods

Conversely, climate change is also contributing to more intense rainfall and flooding in certain areas.

In the fertile Tana River basin, farmers have seen their fields submerged by unprecedented floods. Heavy rainfall events cause rivers like the Tana River to overflow, flooding settlements and destroying crops.

These floods leave behind a trail of devastation: waterlogged farms, damaged infrastructure, and outbreaks of waterborne diseases. Children are especially vulnerable.

Extreme weather events like flooding are also leading to displacement and migration, putting pressure on urban areas and creating social tensions.

Temperature Increases

Kenya is experiencing a steady rise in temperatures, which exacerbates the effects of droughts and contributes to heat stress, with severe implications for both human and animal health.

“While temperatures vary across Kenya, a distinct warming trend is evident, particularly since the 1960s, with inland areas registering larger increases in minimum and maximum temperatures,” according to the World Bank. “During this time the annual mean increase has risen by approximately 1.0°C, at an estimated average rate of 0.21°C per decade. The most significant rise in temperature was observed for the start to the primary rainy and humid, spring season (March to May), in the arid and semi-arid regions of the country.”

By the 2050s, temperatures in Kenya are projected to continue rising by roughly 1.7°C and by potentially 3.5°C or more  degrees by the end of the century – unless we take the action necessary to lower greenhouse gas emissions to fight the climate crisis at its core.

Agriculture and Food Security

Kenya's economy heavily relies on agriculture, which is extremely vulnerable to climate change.

The agriculture sector makes up about 28% of Kenya’s GDP and is responsible for more than 65% of exports. As of 2015, agricultural work accounted for about 80% of total employment in Kenya and supports over 80% of the rural population.

Changes in rainfall patterns and increased temperatures are leading to reduced crop yields, particularly for staple crops like maize and beans.

Food insecurity is on the rise, as crop yields decline and livestock perish. This, in turn, leads to an increased risk of malnutrition, particularly among children.

Water Scarcity

Climate change is exacerbating water scarcity across the African nation. The once-reliable rains have become erratic, sometimes failing altogether.

Reduced average annual rainfall and increased evaporation are leading to dwindling water resources, impacting both human and animal populations.

Climate change and water scarcity are exacerbating poverty, particularly in rural farming areas, where livelihoods are heavily dependent on climate-sensitive indicators like rainfall and temperature.

Sea Level Rise

Along Kenya's coastline, sea level rise is leading to saltwater intrusion, contaminating freshwater sources and threatening coastal ecosystems.

This also threatens coastal infrastructure.

As most of the coast is low-lying, sea level rise in combination with extreme weather events like flooding could inundate entire communities. In particular danger is the city of Mombasa, “with an estimated area of 4-6 km likely to be submerged with a rise in sea level of only 0.3 meters.”

What You Can Do

The climate crisis is a significant threat to Kenya, impacting its environment, economy, and society. Addressing these challenges requires a concerted effort from the government, communities, and the international community.

Despite these challenges, Kenya is not passive in the face of climate change.

The government has implemented national climate change action plans, focusing on adaptation and mitigation. There's a growing emphasis on renewable energy, with Kenya being a leader in geothermal power.

Ultimately, the story of climate change in Kenya is a story of human resilience and vulnerability. It's a story of communities struggling to adapt to a changing world, of families facing hardship, and of a nation striving to build a sustainable future.

As the climate continues to change, the challenges will only intensify, requiring urgent and sustained action.

Are you ready to take the action needed to help fight the climate crisis – in Kenya and around the world?

Join us for the REALITY Tour at our upcoming Climate Reality Leadership Corps training in Nairobi, Kenya this June.

At a training, you’ll gain the skills, knowledge, and network to take action against the climate crisis in your community.

Ready to take the next step in your journey as a climate advocate? Sign up to learn more about our Nairobi training now.