Pray yes, but climate crisis calls for right policy

President William Ruto (second right) and his deputy Rigathi Gachagua (second left) with their spouses during the National Solemn Assembly at the Nyayo National Stadium, Nairobi, on February 14, 2023. [Kelly Ayodi, Standard]

Three years since rain patterns became unpredictable and rains gave the Horn of Africa a wild berth, the expected is happening: Extreme heat, drought, rivers drying, livestock and wildlife dying, rain-fed agriculture becoming unreliable and water stress, even for those with boreholes.

Sources of livelihoods are lost. Several hunger-related diseases abound. Many children miss school, and soon inequality will be the conversation. People will turn to forests and other natural resources; life must continue.