We have ignored signs of five-year cycle, experts say

By Susan Anyangu

Poor planning by the Government is to blame for the food crisis.

Yesterday, a University of Nairobi lecturer, specialising in climate change, Prof Richard Odingo, said it is a fact that after every five years the country experiences drought resulting in severe famine.

Odingo said despite having efficient warning mechanisms successive governments had failed to plan for the future.

"This country has an efficient early warning system, among the best in the continent. Our planners and decision-makers should take these warning seriously. The current mode of preparation is not adequate to mitigate the adverse effects," he said.

Odingo was speaking at a Nairobi hotel, where the Department for International Development (DfID) and Danish International development Agency (Danida) launched a study on the economic impact of climate change in Kenya.

Odingo said while it was crucial to plan into the future it is necessary for Kenya to identify ways of reacting to the variable climate patterns. "We need a permanent team to work with climatologists and get ready for floods and droughts," he said.

Odingo said information is available and that the Government needs to use it to better plan for the future.

"All ministries should be involved and in particular the ministries of planning and finance," he said.

plan for the future

According to figures released by the Government 10 million Kenyans are starving. A report released on Monday, by Oxfam International called on governments to better plan for the future to counter the adverse effects of climate change, among them the current food crisis.

Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI) will carry out the study, which is funded by Danida and DfID. The study seeks to assess climate change impacts and their economic costs for Kenya.

"The study will also analyse the costs and benefits of adapting to these effects over different timescales. The results will be used in decision-making at domestic, regional and international policy," said Dr Thomas Downing, the SEI director.

The study is expected to end by September this year and findings will play a significant role in Kenya’s future plans and its deliberations during a meeting on climate change at Copenhagen, Denmark, later this year.

 

 

 

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