Nairobi: Kenya, like much of the world, faces an escalating climate crisis. This is evident in the extreme weather changes such as drought, floods, and heatwaves increasing in both frequency and intensity.
According to Kenya News Agency, the National Drought Management Authority report (NDMA) highlighted a significant loss in livestock in Kajiado County, with 38.8 percent of its livestock population, equating to 252,592 out of 652,856, lost between September and November 2022 alone. This loss was primarily observed in the Northern and Southern Matapato, Kajiado Central, Iloodokilani, and Kajiado West regions.
In response to the growing climate challenges, the Meteorological Department, in collaboration with Heifer International and Action Aid Kenya, organized a three-day conference aimed at raising awareness among crop farmers and livestock keepers about climate change, its effects, and the importance of accurate weather data collection.
County Director of Meteorological Services, Benson Lubang'a, underscored the critical role of accurate weather forecasts and timely alerts, noting that they could be a matter of life and death. Lubang'a pointed out the deficiency in data collection centers, advocating for an increase from the current nine to at least 25, ensuring one center per ward to enhance forecast accuracy.
Lubang'a highlighted the severe impact of climate change on pastoralist communities in Kajiado, revealing that the county lost approximately 50 percent of its livestock during the 2020-2022 drought period, amounting to Sh200 million in market value. He called for stakeholders to collaborate on climate change and data collection initiatives.
Jemimah Samperu, representing the Iloodokilani Women Network, discussed the Maasai Community's traditional reliance on rainmakers for weather predictions, a practice now challenged by unpredictable climate patterns. She advocated for embracing data collection as a means to sustain their way of life and expressed gratitude to ActionAid for empowering women in climate change adaptation efforts.
Samperu urged the dissemination of climate change and data collection information within communities, particularly at chief barazas, to foster active participation in climate change forums.