The Curious Case of the Drowning Livestock of Northern Kenya Climate change is real, it is here, and its impacts are felt worldwide
Kenya has experienced flash floods, erratic rainfall, prolonged drought punctuated by very high and unusual day and night time temperatures! The poorest and the marginalized in society – women, children, the elderly and youth are being hit the hardest.
Recent floods in Marsabit and Moyale caused the death of young and elderly people who were looking after their livestock. The drowned livestock caused untold damage to roads and power infrastructure.
However, had the community been forewarned with the right and accurate information, in a user friendly manner and at the right time, it could have saved lives and prevented the death of livestock!
Communities who are vulnerable to sudden or slow onset of climate variability would benefit from reliable and accurate climate information such as changes in temperature, rainfall and wind direction or strength. A simple tool that could warn them in advance of impending rainfall, flash floods and how to protect themselves and their properties against such climate disasters.
These are the tools that the Climate Information Prize competition for the Wazo Prize has attracted. Over 115 ideas were submitted for this competition and the top 13 ideas that could have been useful for the scenario above will be on exhibit.
It is not just the prize money that will change the winners’ life, the idea could save thousands of Kenyans now and in the future.
Blog by Stephen Mutimba. Stephen is the senior climate change expert on the Climate Information Prize project funded by UK Aid in partnership with the Kenya Meteorological Department. He is also the Managing Director of Camco Advisory Services (EA) and a senior climate change professional.