Policy Brief No. 50 of 2018-2019 on Economic and Social Implications of Drought and Floods in Kenya

Abstract

Changing weather patterns in Sub-Saharan Africa have resulted to more frequent and intense episodes of droughts and floods, which often culminate into emergencies. In Kenya, more than 70 per cent of natural disasters that occur are as a result of extreme climatic events that include droughts and floods. The geographical position of the country makes it highly vulnerable to climateinduced hazards with over 80 per cent of the country being arid and semiarid. Some parts of the country experience double hazards of drought and floods that occur in quick succession. The coverage and devastating impacts of droughts and floods have persisted, raising concerns over the effectiveness of the resilience measures put in place over the years. There are also concerns that these impacts may further complicate the achievement of the Kenya Vision 2030 and the "Big Four" initiatives.