Nairobi, Kenya, July 24, 2024 Climate change increased the intensity of heavy rainfall in the Horn of Africa in 2023, causing more than 300 deaths and displacing over a million people.11 Increased flows on large rivers are flooding farmlands, degrading soils, and reducing farm output, affecting food availability.12 The Great Rift Valley lakes have expanded in area – by 21% for Lake Naivasha up to 123% for Lake Solai, for example.
The rise in global temperature has made events like the extreme drought Kenya has been
experiencing since 2020 much stronger and about 100 times more likely.14 Between 1995 and
2019, the percentage of Kenyans living under water-stressed conditions increased from 15% to
33%.15 Migration, internal displacements, and conflict have risen in Sub-Saharan Africa
due to the increased occurrence of floods, droughts, and extreme heat and their associated impacts
on food, pasture and water resources.
Climate change increased the intensity of heavy rainfall in the Horn of Africa in 2023, causing more than 300 deaths and displacing over a million people.
Tourism plays a vital role in Kenya’s economy. But rainfall variability and prolonged drought
are already altering wildlife migrations, affecting tourist visits on big nature reserves such as the
Maasai Mara.16,17 About 70% of Kenya’s hydropower (about 28% of total power) is generated from
Mount Kenya’s glaciers,18 which are projected to disappear by 2030 under all climate scenarios.6
A lack of historical weather and climate data in Kenya, and the continent of Africa more widely,
combined with high natural climatic variability, makes for a complicated picture. But with a faster
rate of warming in Kenya than the global average, climate change impacts are projected
to increase steeply with every degree of warming.
Kenya needs immediate action – including international climate finance – to support
adaptation and low-carbon development and secure a fair, liveable future for its people.
With 70% of the Kenyan population employed in climate-sensitive sectors,19 the government has
outlined its sustainable development blueprint, Vision 2030.20 The County Climate Change Fund,
for example, is a mechanism that invests in locally led adaptation and promotes citizen
engagement.21 The government has also set up an emergency cash transfer programme for
vulnerable households during extreme weather events, such as drought and flooding.22
In 2018, 79% of international public climate finance into Kenya was in the
form of debt, with most (55%) channelled towards mitigation.
In Nairobi, Kenya, on July 24, 2024, climate experts, government officials, community representatives, and humanitarian and development agencies convened to advocate for increased locally-led financing aimed at helping communities in Kenya adapt to and build resilience against the effects of climate change. The latest report on climate impacts reveals that East Africa has experienced a temperature rise of 0.7–1°C between 1973 and 2013, significantly affecting Kenya’s population, natural ecosystems, economy, and livelihoods. Authored by Patricia Nyinguro, Dr. Joyce Kimutai (Kenya Meteorological Department), Kenneth Mwangi (World Resources Institute), and Winnie Khaemba (Climate Analytics), the report was launched by Environment PS Dr. Eng. Festus Ng’eno and Dr. Wilber Ottichilo, Governor of Vihiga and Chair of the Environment and Climate Change Committee at the Council of Governors.
During the launch event in Nairobi, stakeholders emphasized the urgent need for immediate action grounded in climate finance to support adaptation, resilience, biodiversity protection, and low-carbon development. The report highlighted key findings, including projections that wheat yields in Africa could decrease by 15% by 2050, while tea production in Kenya might drop by 26% despite efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Furthermore, it underscored the health risks of climate change, predicting that an additional 75.9 million people in eastern and southern Africa could face malaria by 2080, with East Africa at the most significant risk.
Expert insights provided during the event included remarks from Dr. Eng. Festus Ng’eno, who stressed the importance of equity in climate initiatives and increased funding for localized research to combat climate impacts effectively. Immaculate Ntalai, representing the Nadupoi Women’s Group in Kajiado County, highlighted community-led initiatives to secure sustainable water access amidst rising droughts. Dr. Ahmed Idris of the Kenya Red Cross Society lamented the escalating food insecurity and disease outbreaks exacerbated by climate change, urging coordinated efforts to address these challenges.
Senator Hamida Kibwana emphasized the need for legislative measures integrating climate adaptation strategies sensitive to local needs, while Peter Odhengo from the National Treasury’s Climate Finance and Green Economy Unit underscored the role of citizen engagement and regional leadership in advancing climate action through initiatives like the FLoCCA Program.
In conclusion, the report calls for immediate action and increased investment in climate resilience and adaptation efforts at the local level. It highlights the urgency of implementing robust climate policies and financing mechanisms to safeguard Kenya’s future amidst escalating climate impacts.
Please refer to the full document here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1cPbjS_hAL1W9Ec56afuIXwB2xbj1tpwT/view for further details on the report’s findings and recommendations.
