Climate change is reshaping the landscape and livelihoods in Kenya, with severe impacts already being felt across the country.
The Kenya Alliance of Resident Associations (Kara) highlights several key areas where climate change is taking its toll, painting a picture of a nation grappling with environmental upheaval and distress.
Kara in their citizen's handbook on climate change says that in some regions, heavy rains have become increasingly frequent, leading to devastating floods.
"The people of Kenya are vulnerable to climate change. This means that they suffer from whatever climate change brings," Kara says in the handbook.
Areas such as Western Kenya, Nyanza, and the Rift Valley have seen significant flooding, displaced thousands and causing extensive property damage.
According to Kenya Red Cross Floods and Impact and Intervention 2024 report, since the onset of the March-April-May (MAM) rains, over 101 132 households have been affected by floods, underlining the severity of this crisis.
Other parts of Kenya are suffering from prolonged droughts.
The arid and semi-arid lands (ASALs) are particularly vulnerable, with water shortages affecting agriculture and livestock, the mainstays of local economies.
The 2023 drought was especially harsh with International Rescue Committee indicating that about 5.4 million people were projected to face high levels of acute food insecurity between March and June this year of which 1.2 million people were likely be in the emergency phase.
This latest projection highlighted a 43 per cent increase in people facing high levels of food insecurity compared to the same period in 2022.
Global warming is also causing more erratic weather patterns, making it difficult for farmers to plan their planting and harvesting seasons.
This unpredictability has led to reduced crop yields and heightened food insecurity, further straining the nation's resources.
One of the most visible signs of climate change is the melting ice on Mount Kenya.
Africa's second-highest peak has lost over 80 per cent of its ice cap since the 1980s, affecting river flow patterns and water availability downstream.
According to UNEP's Global Outlook for Ice and Snow (UNEP 2007) only 10 of the 18 glaciers that covered Mount Kenya's summit a century ago remain, leaving less than one third of the previous ice cover.
The ice on Mount Kenya has also become thinner. Emerging evidence suggests the decline has accelerated since the 1970s.
"Since at least the 1880s, the ice on Mount Kilimanjaro has been retreating both in thickness and in area," UNEP says.
This has profound implications for communities that rely on these water sources for their daily needs.
Increased volumes of water in lakes and other bodies are submerging low-lying areas, displacing communities and destroying arable land.
Lake Victoria, for example, has experienced a noticeable rise in water levels, disrupting the lives of those living around its shores.
Aquatic ecosystems are also feeling the strain. Lake Victoria's fish populations have declined due to overfishing, pollution, and changing water temperatures, impacting the livelihoods of local fishermen.
Additionally, the Indian Ocean is absorbing more carbon dioxide, becoming increasingly acidic and affecting marine life.
Coral reefs along Kenya's coast are bleaching and dying due to rising sea temperatures, further endangering marine biodiversity.
These reefs are crucial as they provide habitat and food for numerous marine species, and their loss is a significant blow to the fishing industry.
Coastal cities such as Mombasa face the threat of rising sea levels, which lead to coastal erosion, saltwater intrusion, and increased flooding.
The UN Environment Programme predicts that sea levels along the Kenyan coast could rise by up to 0.5 metres by the end of the century, exacerbating these issues.
Low-lying urban areas are also at increased risk of flooding, particularly during heavy rains.
Poor drainage systems in cities lead to severe flooding, property damage, and health risks from waterborne diseases.
The statistics are stark. As of 2021, over 2.1 million Kenyans were experiencing acute food insecurity due to drought conditions.
Economic losses due to climate change-related impacts are estimated to be around three per cent of Kenya's GDP annually, according to the National Treasury.
Moreover, rising temperatures and changing weather patterns have led to an increased incidence of diseases such as malaria and dengue fever.
Climate change is profoundly affecting Kenya, disrupting its environment, economy, and the health and well-being of its people.
Addressing these challenges requires a concerted effort from all sectors of society to implement sustainable and adaptive strategies, ensuring a resilient future for the nation.