Globally, Kenya is ranked as the 31st most vulnerable country to climate change. Recent reports indicate that climate change impacts lead to a loss of about 3% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) annually. Climate change effects in Kenya have manifested in locust outbreaks in the last two years and a rise in water levels of the Rift Valley Lakes, Lake Victoria and Turkwel Gorge Dam displacing nearly 400,000 people in thirteen counties and affecting biodiversity, including flamingos in Lake Nakuru. About 2.5 million people in 23 counties, were reported to be facing famine because of drought. Counties in the North rift region of Kenya that contribute to food security and pastoral livelihoods have been affected.

Kenya is a signatory to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. The nation participated and made significant contributions during the UN Climate Change Conference held in October-November, 2021 in Glasgow, United Kingdom. Further, Kenya recently joined the Adaptation Action Coalition and the UN Call for Action on Adaptation and Resilience to send a clear message that the country will continue to work with other like-minded governments, institutions, businesses, and civil societies to accelerate climate action to moderate the negative impacts of climate change, facilitate adjustment to expected climate impacts and strengthen capacity to absorb, and recover from climate change effects.

It is on this premise that this study seeks to employ SMART technology to examine trends in climatic patterns in the North rift region of Kenya and develop a prediction model for climate change effects in the mitigation of risks relating to food security and the livelihood of pastoral communities. Using a multi-stakeholder approach, this project seeks to analyze trends in climatic patterns in eight (8) counties of Trans Nzoia, Uasin Gishu, Nandi, Turkana, Baringo, West Pokot, Samburu and Elgeyo Markwet over a period of time. The study will also seek to evaluate the effect of climate change on the diversity of essential terrestrial plant species, assess the effect of land-use practices on terrestrial vegetation cover, determine the effect of soil variables on vegetation cover and species diversity, and develop mitigation measures against the impact of climate change for sustainable livelihoods.

Key outputs of this study will include the development of County specific laws on climate change, providing strong leadership on this agenda, establishment of policies, and supporting legislation on climate change. The establishment of climate change units, and operationalization of a Fund for climate change mechanism are envisaged. These policies will be mainstreamed through the sectors in forestry, agriculture, water, energy, waste management and health. It is important to underscore that since most of these functions are devolved under schedule 4(2) of the Kenya Constitution 2010, it is critical that the two levels of government work closely to execute them effectively.
The project will impact rural livelihoods through improved awareness on climate change effects, County and Central Government Agencies through contribution t Sustainable Development Goals and vision 2030, Agriculture Sector Development strategy and increased GDP in Kenya.