Experts push for stronger climate resilience measures to safeguard Kenya’s food security, public health

The experts made the clarion at the Climate Change Resilience, Adaptation, and Its Impacts on Food Systems and Health in Kenya conference co-hosted by Kenyatta University and American Institutes for Research (AIR), where they highlighted how the nation’s agriculture and health sectors are under mounting pressure due to climate change, from extreme temperatures to severe droughts and floods.

“In 2024, Kenya experienced unprecedented climate events, including record-breaking temperatures in Nairobi and devastating El Niño floods that claimed over 300 lives and displaced nearly 300,000 people. Climate change is no longer an abstract threat; it is a reality we must confront now. We need swift and decisive action to safeguard our future and build a more resilient society,” said Dr. Festus Ng’eno, Principal Secretary for Environment and Climate Change.

Dr. Ng’eno emphasized the government’s response through the National Climate Change Action Plan (NCCAP) 2023–2027, aimed at tackling the crisis through climate-smart agriculture, disaster risk management, and targeted interventions to manage climate-sensitive diseases, such as malaria.

He explained that these measures “not only address the current crisis but also create sustainable jobs and stimulate economic growth.” 

“By investing in climate-smart agriculture and health interventions, we can protect our people while also driving long-term development” added Dr. Ng’eno, 

Christine Kiecha, Managing Director for AIR’s Kenya office, highlighted AIR’s commitment to finding solutions alongside local institutions.

 “We’re seeing and experiencing the devastating effects of climate change in Kenya and throughout the region,” said Kiecha. “It’s a priority for our team of researchers and technical assistance leaders to collaboratively find, study, and help implement solutions.”

The conference addressed two critical areas: food security and public health. Kenya’s agriculture, heavily reliant on stable weather, is facing severe challenges due to shifting climate conditions.

Participants called for practical solutions such as drought-resistant crops, advanced irrigation, and climate-smart farming to reduce vulnerability and stabilize food production.

Public health concerns were equally pressing, as experts noted an increase in vector-borne diseases like malaria and waterborne illnesses such as cholera due to changing climate conditions. Rising malnutrition also underscored the need for a resilient health system to protect communities from the health impacts of climate change.

Prof. Waceke Wanjohi, Vice Chancellor of Kenyatta University, highlighted the wide-ranging impacts of climate change on Kenyan society.

 “Climate change is not just an environmental issue; it impacts every aspect of our lives—from agriculture to health, to water resources and infrastructure. A multidisciplinary approach is essential if we are to develop comprehensive solutions capable of meeting the challenges posed by climate change” stated Prof. Wanjohi.

The event concluded with a call to action for national policy and strategic adaptations aimed at safeguarding Kenya’s future.

 “The work being done in Kenya to address and adapt to the effects of climate change will not only improve the lives of its citizens by fostering a healthier, more sustainable future, but it can also serve as a blueprint for other countries and communities across Africa and beyond,” said David Seidenfeld, Senior Vice President for AIR