Seasonal Environmental Issues in Kenyaby Yvonne Wabai | 21-01-2017 00:06 |
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We usually have 4 main seasons in Kenya: long rains (March to June), short rains (September to November), hot and dry (December to February) and cold and wet (July to August). However, because of climate change, we have seen a change in rainfall patterns and an increase in daily temperatures. It is now the hot season and we've hardly had any rain for a while now. The amount of rain we received during the short rains period was dismal and as a result, we're experiencing a water shortage. The areas most affected by the water shortage are major cities such as Nairobi because there's more pollution in the cities, making the cities the ones that are more affected by climate change. Currently, in Nairobi county, authorities have come up with the solution to ration the water. The official report given by the Nairobi County Water and Sewerage Company Ltd is that the dismal short rains have resulted in less water being trapped in the Ndakaini Dam, the dam that supplies Nairobi county with water. However, there has been a major public outcry because majority of the citizens feel that the company has been sleeping on the job and letting a lot of water go to waste by condoning illegal water connections and not collecting rainwater especially during the recent floods we had. The company mainly relies on water from Chania river and it fails to focus on protecting water catchment areas and rainwater collection. The water shortage has also resulted in the cost of electricity going up 3Kshs because we mostly rely on hydroelectric power. In addition to the water shortage, there has been an all record high of high temperatures this season, leading to heat waves and sun burns. Going forward, as a country, we need to focus on protecting our water catchment areas and rainwater collection. In the last 2 years, we have had at least 4 major flood seasons and it is therefore advisable to build trenches to direct flood waters to reservoirs. This will not only ensure that we prevent another water shortage, but also prevent the damage inflicted by the heavy floods we have experienced. Additionally, the government should put more effort into the utilization of solar power. In a time where the water level in the HEP dams is low, solar power and the geothermal power we already use next to hydroelectric power, would ensure that our power supply remains uninterrupted. Furthermore, measures to curb pollution should be implemented. There are many environmental organizations in Kenya that fight for many different environmental causes but without the government's involvement, no policies are created/ implemented and therefore though awareness is created, very little change is achieved. |
