Drought Situation in Kenya to Persist, Experts Caution

The drought situation ravaging parts of Kenya is bound to worsen, dimming expectations of recovery for the region that has experienced famine for over three years, experts have warned.

Speaking in Mombasa, climate scientists under the auspices of the Greater Horn of Africa Climate Outlook Forum regretted that the country would record lower levels of rainfall during the months of October, November and December.

The scientists, basing their findings on outputs from eight Global Climate Centres, say the situation will be devastating for the millions of people who are already living through the longest drought.

Kenya Meteorological Department deputy director in charge of Climate Services, Dr David Gikungu, asked farmers to plant drought-resistant crops that will survive the drought situation.

 “We have never experienced a worst La Nina situation like this one we are about to witness, this will be the worst for the past 50 years,” said Dr Gikunda who had attended the just-concluded conference in Mombasa.

Speaking on the sidelines of the 62nd IGAD Forum in Mombasa, IGAD Climate Predictions and Applications Center (ICPAC) director Guleid Artan warned that drought conditions in Kenya, Sudan Uganda, Somalia and Ethiopia would continue.