Kajiado east: A member of the Maasai community, Jane Koileken, has embraced organic farming after losing all her livestock to the severe drought of 2022, which devastated many in her community. The Maasai have traditionally relied on livestock for their livelihood, but climate change has led to frequent droughts, causing widespread loss of cattle and economic hardship.
According to Kenya News Agency, the harsh conditions prompted Koileken to seek alternative sources of income. She attended a climate change workshop organized by The Saving Lives and Livelihoods Initiative, funded by Mastercard Foundation and implemented by Africa Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (ACDC) along with partners like Amref Health Kenya and UNICEF. The workshop introduced her to organic farming, which she found beneficial.
These workshops, known as Participatory Climate Scenario Planning Workshops, offer training in scenario development and planning, while providing advisories based on weather predictions. Koileken learned various income-generating activities, including bee-keeping and organic farming, which she pursued to support her family.
The shift to organic farming has allowed Koileken to sell vegetables and fund her children's education. With knowledge from the workshop, she produces her own organic pesticides, reducing her farming costs. Stephen Tipanko, the chief of Oloosidan location, supports this shift, noting that over 100 local farmers have been trained in alternative income sources, strengthening the community's resilience.
The county government's agricultural extension officers have played a crucial role in supporting these new farmers. Michael Semera, the County Executive Committee Member for Water, Environment, Natural Resources and Climate Change, noted an increase in agricultural output as farmers respond to meteorological advisories.
Mary Mathenge from Amref Health Africa, leading the Africa CDC in Kenya, highlighted the importance of the Participatory Scenario Planning workshops as part of a broader "one health" initiative. This approach addresses health in relation to the environment and climate by integrating meteorological, livestock, agriculture, and health departments to foster a resilient community.
Participatory Scenario Planning is essential for anticipating future climatic conditions and implementing mitigation strategies to ensure community resilience against climate change impacts.