Climate Change Affects Kenya’s Economy, Leading to Resource Conflicts and Security Threats, State Report Reveals

NAIROBI — A recent report indicates that climate change is having adverse impacts on Kenya’s economy, posing threats to livelihoods, reducing agricultural output, and damaging infrastructure.

According to a new release by Africa Science News, rising global surface temperatures, which have reached 1.1°C above pre-industrial averages, are largely due to increased human activities and are impacting climate-sensitive sectors like agriculture, water, energy, tourism, and wildlife in Kenya.

The report goes on to state that climate change exacerbates conflicts over natural resources such as land and water, thereby posing threats to national security. Weather-related disasters are increasing in both intensity and magnitude, complicating Kenya’s ongoing challenges with resource-based conflicts.

Dr. James Kaoga from the Department of Earth and Climate Science at the University of Nairobi, spoke at a panel discussion on the issue. He emphasized that climate change is a complex problem with severe long-term effects. “Africa is at the frontline when it comes to impacts of climate change,” Kaoga said. He called for more data collection to understand the complexities of the issue, especially considering Africa’s young population, which he believes could be a driving force in combating climate change.

Kaoga also pointed to the need for modernization and security initiatives to empower youth to utilize Africa’s expansive lands productively. He noted that an increase in population would spur the demand for food, potentially leading to further environmental degradation and exacerbating global warming.

In the realm of policy, the Government of Kenya has taken steps to address the challenges posed by climate change. The country launched a National Climate Change Response Strategy (NCCRS) in 2010 and a National Climate Change Action Plan (NCCAP 2013-2017) in 2013, which was later revised in 2018. Additionally, Kenya enacted the Climate Change Act (No. 11 of 2016) and developed a National Adaptation Plan (KNAP, 2018-2030) to guide both the National and County Governments in integrating adaptation and mitigation actions across sectors.