East African drought

Updated: Wed, 26 Jul 2017

As droughts surge and traditions wane, nature comes under pressure in Kenya

The need for millions of young Kenyans to earn an income, combined with weakening cultural restrictions on protecting land, are hurting Kenyan nature, older people say

Hotline tackles violence against girls in drought-hit Kenya
Worsening drought can drive worsening violence against women in Kenya's northern pastoralist communities - but that is changing By Zoe Tabary | Wed, 21 Jun 2017
Drought-hit Nairobi looks to filthy dam to keep business flowing
Rehabilitating an abandoned water reservoir could help residents of Kibera slum get through dry times By Kagondu Njagi | Tue, 25 Jul 2017
Drought-hit Kenyan herders fire up a hot new crop: chilli peppers
A farmer with at least two acres of land can earn as much as three times more with chilli than with cattle By Caroline Wambui | Wed, 23 May 2018
As drought hits harvests, Kenya’s farmers mull a seed change
Using imported seed, "you are not sure if you will harvest enough to offset the costs" - so local seed is gaining ground, farmers say By Justus Wanzala | Mon, 16 Oct 2017
Kenya's herders swap livestock for chillies as drought bites
Chillies are a safe bet for farmers in times of drought as they do not require fertilisers or water once the roots are established in the soil By Isaiah Esipisu | Mon, 7 Aug 2017
Experts: Change policy to boost climate-smart farming in Africa
"We already have enough ideas and innovations. What we lack in many African countries is the implementation" By Isaiah Esipisu | Wed, 23 May 2018
Drought-hit Ethiopia moves to protect its dwindling forests
Forests can provide more stable water, harvests and jobs - but rural population growth make protecting them a challenge, officials say By Elias Gebreselassie | Tue, 4 Jul 2017
Islamic finance provides Kenyans with cushion against drought
This Muslim-majority county's first private cooperative offers interest-free loans, with no fees for late payment - in accordance with Islamic principles By Zoe Tabary | Fri, 7 Jul 2017
In Ethiopia, climate change leads herders to retrain as farmers
As droughts becomes harsher, killing animals, adding in vegetable farming - and other money makers - is paying off for pastoralists By Sebastien Malo | Tue, 12 Feb 2019
In southern Ethiopia, herders join forces to revive rangelands
Restoring grazing land and forest can help communities stand up to the more frequent droughts climate change is bringing, farmers say By Kizito Makoye | Thu, 6 Dec 2018
African nations to get profiles of drought and flood risk
Better information can help countries anticipate and prepare for problems, rather than simply respond with aid By Nicole Hoey | Fri, 9 Mar 2018
After drought, Kenya's herders hammered by coronavirus curbs
Livestock-keepers had been hoping for a good year to help them recover from drought but have struggled to sell their animals as pandemic disrupted markets By Wesley Langat | Sat, 27 Jun 2020
Disaster recovery loans help Kenyans beat weather shocks
“Aid of this nature is good because it has helped me stabilise my life" By Kagondu Njagi | Tue, 4 Jul 2017
As drought hits, livestock insurance aids pastoralists in Ethiopia
Insurance is only part of the answer, but it is easing losses from drought for herders in southern Ethiopia By Elias Gebreselassie | Mon, 26 Jun 2017
Kenya's parched farmers stop ploughing but harvest more food, jobs
Growing crops differently, to preserve more water in the soil, is having a big payoff for farmers, and for those they hire to help them do the work By Isaiah Esipisu | Wed, 17 May 2017
Huge dam to boost Kenya's urban water but may threaten Maasai Mara
What happens when securing water for one community threatens to reduce access in others? By Wesley Langat | Wed, 26 Apr 2017
Drought in Kenya brings a surprise: More girls in school
Safety net of cash transfer payments helps persuade families that investing in girls makes good economic sense By Isaiah Esipisu | Wed, 5 Apr 2017
Somaliland drought a "nightmare" and security threat
The loss of Somaliland's livestock - the basis of its economy - to drought could worsen security threats in the Horn of Africa, the environment minister warns By Laurie Goering | Wed, 22 Mar 2017
Fearing disease, Kenyans burn animal carcasses as drought deepens
Nomadic communities store their savings in animals rather than banks and each carcass is a major loss By Reuters | Wed, 22 Mar 2017
Sand dams protect water for drought-hit pastoralists in Kenya
As droughts take hold, simple sand deposits, built in rivers, can be a lifeline for pastoralists in East Africa By Benson Rioba | Thu, 23 Mar 2017
Kenyan farmers battle drought with growing appetite for baby corn
A growing number of farmers in Kenya are switching to growing baby corn – an immature ear harvested early and eaten whole - as a way around unreliable rainfall By Kagondu Njagi | Tue, 21 Mar 2017
As farms dry up, Kenyan women switch to clean energy businesses
Clean energy businesses are giving women steady income and protecting forests, which in turn help stave off drought By Kagondu Njagi | Thu, 27 Apr 2017
People are dying of drought; our indifference is an outrage
The lives and livelihoods of millions hang in the balance every time major drought hits - if our indifference ends, both can be saved By Monique Barbut | Mon, 20 Mar 2017
Clashes over grazing leaves 10 dead drought-hit Kenya
Northern Kenya is suffering a severe drought, which has worsened competition for grazing and water holes By Reuters | Sun, 19 Mar 2017