NAIROBI, Kenya – Kenya is facing a significant threat from climate change, impacting agriculture, water resources, health, and infrastructure.
Despite recognizing the urgency, managing and mitigating climate change in Kenya remains a complex and challenging task.
As a developing nation, Kenya grapples with economic pressures that hinder its ability to invest in climate change mitigation and adaptation measures.
The transition to renewable energy, enhancing infrastructure resilience, and implementing sustainable agricultural practices are costly and often compete with other national priorities.
“Financial limitations are a major barrier to effective climate change management in Kenya,” says Faith Karanja, an environmental economist at the University of Nairobi.
“While the government recognizes the importance of addressing climate change, limited resources and competing development priorities make it difficult to allocate sufficient funding to these efforts.”
Weak institutional frameworks and governance issues also obstruct climate change management in Kenya.
Coordination among government agencies, non-governmental organizations, and private sector stakeholders is often lacking, leading to fragmented and ineffective responses to climate change.
Corruption and bureaucratic inefficiencies further impede the implementation of climate policies and programs.
Public awareness and engagement on climate change issues remain limited in Kenya.
While policymakers and environmental advocates increasingly recognize the problem, many Kenyans, particularly in rural areas, are unaware of the causes and consequences of climate change.
This lack of awareness hampers community-level action and support for climate policies.
“To be impactful, there is a need for adequate awareness and sharing of information on climate change,” Richard Nyaga, chairman of the Kenya Alliance of Resident Associations, stated.
Technological and infrastructure gaps complicate climate change management in Kenya.
Transitioning to renewable energy sources like solar and wind power requires significant investments in technology and infrastructure.
The country’s infrastructure, especially in rural areas, often struggles to withstand extreme weather events.
Despite these challenges, Kenya has made notable strides in developing renewable energy sources, particularly geothermal, wind, and solar power.
According to the Kenya Electricity Generating Company (KenGen), renewable energy sources accounted for about 75% of Kenya’s electricity generation in 2020.
“Investing in renewable energy is not only essential for reducing emissions but also for ensuring energy security and economic growth,” says KenGen. “Kenya has vast renewable energy potential, and harnessing this potential is key to our sustainable development.”
Sustainable agricultural practices can also help mitigate the impacts of climate change on food security and livelihoods.
The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) emphasizes climate-smart agriculture, which integrates sustainable land management practices, improved crop varieties, and efficient water use.
“By adopting sustainable practices, farmers can improve yields, protect natural resources, and enhance their resilience to climate change,” notes the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
Improving institutional frameworks and governance is critical for effective climate change management.
The establishment of the Climate Change Directorate under the Ministry of Environment is a positive step.
Increasing public awareness and engagement is also essential for mobilizing community support for climate action.
Leveraging media and technology to disseminate information and involving local communities in climate change initiatives can significantly enhance public engagement.
