Devastating drought in Kenya: Environmental impacts and responses

Abstract

1. The recent drought, caused by the continuous failure of rainfall between October 1998 and May 2001, was so severe that the Government of Kenya declared it a national disaster on 13 June 2000. At the request of the Government, a joint UNEP and government team was form to: (a) Assess the impact of drought on the environment; (b) Identify factors contributing to the severity of the drought; (c) Recommend measures to mitigate the effects of the recent drought and minimise those of future ones. 2. The team held discussions with government officials, international organisations and non-government organisations at national level. It also visited fifteen districts (Baringo, Embu, Kilifi, Kirinyaga, Kwale, Machakos, Malindi, Meru South, Mombassa, Muran'a, Nairobi, Nyeri, Samburu, Turkana and Wajir) where discussions were held with district and divisional officials, the community as well as preventatives of non-governmental organisations at the local level. 3. The drought has undermined...