In recent years, Kenya has experienced frequent severe droughts mainly in the arid and semi-arid lands (ASALs). Food security in Kenya is highly dependent on rainfall. Unfortunately, the country is experiencing the worst prolonged drought in four decades.
The poor performance of up to five consecutive rainfall seasons and the impacts of other shocks have led to widespread livelihood losses and massive displacement of people.
Forecasts predict below-normal March to May 2023 long rains, especially in ASAL counties. However, it is worth noting that regardless of the performance of the current long rains season, recovery from the prolonged drought could take years.
The magnitude of the drought clearly shows the effects of global warming and climate change in the country and the greater Horn of Africa region. Frequent droughts have continued to undermine Kenya's economic gains as substantial losses and damages occur during each cycle of failed or poor rains.
Worse still, droughts hardly give communities time to recover between drought episodes which only exacerbate their vulnerability. But, despite droughts being unavoidable natural phenomena, their impacts are reversible through targeted human action.
In this regard, Kenya has made significant progress in its management of drought risk over the years with the European Union (EU) a consistent and strategic partner.
Under the Paris Agreement, both Kenya and the EU are committed, alongside almost all other countries in the world, to controlling emissions of greenhouse gases. The EU has also consistently supported Kenya in addressing the challenges of climate change, particularly in the ASALs and Kenya is now better placed to manage droughts and their effects.
Since 2007, the EU has supported drought risk management mainly through support to evolving policies and institution building. In particular, the EU offered technical support that established the National Drought Management Authority (NDMA), a specialised institution that focuses on mitigating drought-related challenges.
The EU's support covers policy development and in particular the ASAL policy, Vision 2030 Development Strategy for Northern Kenya and other Arid Lands as well as the Ending Drought Emergencies strategy and its Common Programme Framework.
The EU has also supported the strengthening of the drought early warning system, as well as the digitisation of data collection and integration of remote data. As part of resilience building, the EU has extended support to the implementation of strategic drought preparedness investments prioritised by targeted communities.
Increasing climate variability and the risks associated with it means that there could be more frequent and intense droughts in the foreseeable future and particularly so in the ASALs. This in turn points to increased food insecurity, nutrition deficiency and stymied long-term socioeconomic development. The EU has, therefore, provided additional funding under the National Multiannual Indicative Programme for Kenya for the 2021-2027 period to promote sustainable development by contributing to the country's green transition and digital transformation.
The Dryland Climate Action for Community Drought Resilience project will be implemented by NDMA, with EU's 13 million Euro support and Kenya's contribution of 5 million Euros. The grant will support communities and ecosystems in drought-prone arid and semi-arid lands to achieve greater resilience and improved food security.
The project seeks to boost preparedness by widening the range of investments supported to manage rangelands/natural capital and by supporting climate-smart agricultural value chains that contribute to the introduction of more sustainable agri-food systems and livelihood strategies.
The same project will use digital technology and improve forecasting, communication of early warning information and evidence-based knowledge management informed by contemporary livelihoods systems and climate change/livelihood linkages. This will improve the coordination of stakeholder action for the efficient use of resources.
Kenya recognises the need to do more in addressing vulnerabilities in ASALs and thus continues to seek long-term solutions to the impact of recurrent droughts. We believe that this partnership will move Kenya from crisis management to drought preparedness and therefore reduce vulnerabilities and exposure of ASAL communities.
Ms Miano is the Cabinet Secretary for East African Community, the ASALs and Regional Development. Ms Geiger is the European Union Ambassador to Kenya
