Climate change actors in Garissa call for solutions and policies to safeguard livelihoods against harsh climate change effects.

Ubah Abdullahi, Bula Muzuri senior Assistant chief, speaking at the meeting.

Climate change actors in Garissa have called for stronger solutions and policies to protect livelihoods from the worsening effects of climate change.

Northern Kenya is experiencing more frequent and intense droughts that have devastated communities that rely heavily on livestock for survival. 

The changing climate has also fuelled conflicts over dwindling resources, displaced families and deepened the vulnerability of marginalised groups.

During a three-day climate change symposium in Garissa, Carol Rotich, monitoring and evaluation officer at Womankind Kenya, emphasised the need to raise community awareness and adopt smarter coping mechanisms.

“We have developed African climate justice narratives using art, poetry, music and panel discussions. Beyond raising awareness, we hope these narratives will trigger behaviour change and enable communities to adapt to climate change,” she said, adding that the narratives could also influence policy and inclusive planning.

Ubah Abdullahi, senior assistant chief of Bula Muzuri, highlighted the disproportionate impact on women, children and people with disabilities during droughts and floods. 

She urged communities to support President William Ruto’s tree-planting campaign to boost forest cover and curb climate-related disasters.

Yusuf Abdi, a local climate champion, called for county-specific policies backed with sufficient resources to address community needs.

“Climate change is already affecting our lives, livelihoods, education and infrastructure. When floods swept away part of the road leading to Garissa town, food supplies were cut off and conflicts arose as people fought over limited resources. We must act collectively,” he said.

The symposium, convened by Womankind Kenya, brought together policymakers, community champions, youth activists and women leaders to discuss mitigation measures and shape localised responses to the climate crisis.