With planning, rains need not be a curse
The annual narrative of death, displacements and destruction caused by the unpredictable drought cycle, heavy rains and subsequent floods is all painfully familiar—a blessing and a curse.
By Tuesday evening, the death toll of the ongoing heavy rains pounding the country stood at 24. The number could rise, unless the ferocious floods sweeping everything on their path recede.
According to updates from Government Spokesman Col (rtd) Cyrus Oguna, the effects of the deluge, which came after a prolonged and debilitating dry spell, is nothing but sheer devastation, with 12,000 people displaced, over 10,000 livestock swept away and massive infrastructural destruction in the 15 counties that have been worst hit.
Although the destruction and loss is replicated across the country with varying degrees, to residents of the most affected areas, some, which ironically are in the arid and semi-arid lands (Asals), the rains are a curse. Their lives have literally been turned upside down and rendered dependants on food aid and other relief.
But the rains did not just happen. There were forecasts that should have prepared the residents, especially relevant government agencies to mitigate the effects and avoid needless loss of lives and property. Again in a typical Kenyan culture, the response is reactive as opposed to proactive.
To complete the painful narrative, the water from the rains will soon be gone and wasted while the little that may remain trapped in shallow pools will evaporate into thin air—with it thrusting many into throes of drought, thirst and hunger.
This vicious cycle can be broken if the government rolls out plans, especially by the Water ministry, to harvest the rain water for future domestic use and irrigation.
The bigger and more worrying concern is the irascible climate change that has seen Mother Nature fight back after being abused for decades. Climate change is real and Kenya is now paying a heavy price for wanton destruction of water catchments, forests, rivers and other environmental safeguards. For instance, in the midst of the turmoil, the country is still engaging in impotent discourses over the bid to save the Mau Forest.
It cannot be gainsaid that the current environmental woes are the signs of what lies ahead. This is why we can no longer procrastinate on addressing climate change. It is matter of life and death for humanity.
