Environment Cabinet Secretary Soipan Tuya has cautioned Kenyans to brace themselves for an upcoming prolonged drought following the recent challenges posed by excessive rainfall.
Speaking in Embu, Tuya emphasized the need for readiness in the face of another dry season triggered by climate change’s enduring impact on Kenya’s socioeconomic sectors. She highlighted insights from Kenya Meteorological Department’s Director General David Gikungu, who warned of the imminent dry spell.
“We just came out of a serious drought that has not been seen in the last 40 years… And the DG of Kenya Met services has notified us of another prolonged dry spell,” Tuya disclosed.
Reiterating Kenya’s vulnerability to climate change due to its climate-sensitive economic pillars, Tuya emphasized the imperative of landscape and ecosystem restoration as outlined in the country’s 10-year strategy.
“The challenge threatens the livelihoods of millions of Kenyans… Land restoration holds the key to reversing this tide,” she affirmed.
As the nation navigates post-flood recovery efforts, including the resettlement of displaced families, Kenya Met’s forecast predicts reduced rainfall in various regions alongside warnings of temperature fluctuations. The call to prepare for the looming drought crisis underlines the critical need for proactive measures to mitigate its adverse effects.