Five years ago, the Horn of Africa was hit by the worst drought the region had experienced in 60 years, affecting over 10 million people in Ethiopia, Djibouti, Kenya, and Somalia. The world responded and a humanitarian crisis was averted.
However, the aid could not help to restore the social, economic or ecological balance necessary to move forward in those countries most affected. Added to this dilemma – the political unrest and ethnic power struggles that seem to go on almost on a daily basis.
Now, Kenya is in the grip of a drought that has been going on for two years, according to the Star, yet it was only recently that the Kenyan government even acknowledged the crisis. And, the drought is deepening.
Livestock and wildlife die as drought deepens
About 80 percent of Kenya’s landmass is made up of arid and semi-arid land where pastoralists graze their animals, moving from one area to another, searching for enough grass to feed their herds of cattle or goats. But the drought has already taken over 20 percent of the livestock, and that doesn’t include the wild animals dotting the shores of dried up lakes and ponds.
Reuters is reporting that in Northern Kenya, things have gotten so bad that villagers are burning piles of animal carcasses, hoping to keep any diseases from taking hold, even as more of their livestock continue to die.
The stench of death hangs heavy over Lake Turkana. The lake has receded to the point that boats along its muddy and drying banks are now sitting high and dry. Dead animals dot the cracked mud. “It is the worst drought since 2011,” said James Oduor, head of Kenya’s National Drought Management Authority.
Forecasters say rainy season will not help
Climate scientists from international agencies along with the Kenyan Meteorological Department released the March to May 2017 forecast for the country on Thursday, according to The Standard.
The agencies warn that the drought in Kenya will only get worse, despite some scant rainfall witnessed in a few regions. Governmental, aid and other agencies are also stressing that the slight rains are not an indication the drought is over.
“We should step up our efforts to support the vulnerable communities in the country. The situation is getting worse; a depressed rainfall is an indication that the drought situation is worsening,” said Ahmed Idris, Kenya Red Cross head of Policy and Advocacy.
The April to May 2017 weather outlook further indicates that the distribution of March to May 2017 seasonal rainfall is expected to be generally poor in most parts of the country. Climate scientists are saying the Kenyan drought is linked to warmer ocean surface temperatures that have created a situation where there is less rainfall, citing El Nino.
“It is also evident that hotter temperatures than normal were experienced during his time, and this is likely influenced by climate change. The two factors together led to the current, ongoing drought in the country,” said the experts. They add that this is what the country can expect in the future.