Kenya is currently experiencing heavy rains in many parts of the country, which have brought havoc and untold suffering to people who can no longer go on with normal lives because critical infrastructure like roads and power lines has been interfered with by the rains.
Once the rains subside, the public sector will spend considerable funds to restore these services, despite our limited financial resources at a time like now.
I need to point out that we are in the era of global climatic changes and what is being witnessed now may continue for a long time to come.
This reality has been recognised by the Kenya National Adaptation plan (2015-2030) and the National Climate Change response strategy.
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These documents provide for actions geared towards making our economy and infrastructure resilient enough with the anticipated changes.
They advocate implementation of development that takes into cognizant effects of climate change, through the concept of climate proofed development.
Climate proofed development is a methodological approach through which countries integrate issues of climate change into development planning, which allows them to implement projects while at the same time taking into consideration current and future projections on climate change.
This results into projects which are more climate change resilient and hence sustainable, in addition to undertaking adaptation and coping mechanisms.
Going forward, our infrastructure developments must bear the imprint of climate change adaptation and coping mechanisms.
Infrastructure like roads should be constructed with effects of climate change like flooding in mind, such that in case of occurrence of such events, users can continue to use the services.
Infrastructure designs like roads should accommodate good and bad weather, with provision of adequate drainage and slope stabilisation works for roads.
Housing units should be constructed with climatic changes in mind, hence ring fencing them from strong winds and floods.
Climate change proofing will make sure that extreme weather does no affect our livelihoods and critical services, which is part of sustainable development, which integrates all key components in the development of a country.
