The trend of long rains has been irregular in recent years. Impacts on Wakesi community

Nyando river basin in Kenya is traversed by several small streams that flow either into river Nyando or directly into Lake Victoria. Over the years the region has experienced long rains in the months of March - June with very short rain spell in November. This trend has been rather irregular in the recent years with floods occurring in the months of August instead of the months of April. Dry weather periods have increased in length and farm harvest are dwindling. One such community that has experienced this change in climate is Wakesi community. This community traditionally offered sacrifices under trees and the Baobab was quite popular as tree under which offerings to gods for rain was done. In a recent participatory community action plan development carried out by Uhai Lake Forum in collaboration with African Center for Technology studies, the community has revealed the fact that they are increasingly offering sacrifices to gods for rain. They associate the trees with rains.It appears climate change is catalysing worldview practices.

Dan Ong'or
Uhai Lake Forum, Kenya