Raphael Kweyu

Introduction: In Kenya’s arid and semi-arid lands (ASALs), climate change and variability are increasingly affecting agricultural systems, raising the risk of food insecurity. Beyond climatic factors, market price fluctuations, national policies, and social networks shape community responses to shocks and influence vulnerability and resilience. This study integrates climate, land-use, market, and local perception data to identify locally grounded pathways through which food insecurity emerges in Kalama sub-county, Machakos County, Kenya, thereby informing targeted adaptation and policy interventions. Methods: The study used a mixed-methods approach. Secondary data on climate variability, agricultural expansion, food production, and market prices were procured and analyzed. Primary qualitative data were collected through focus group discussions and key informant interviews with residents of Kalama sub-county. Climate trend analyses were performed to quantify rainfall and temperature changes since 1981. Results: Agricultural expansion in the study area increased fourfold between 1990 and 2023, reflecting adaptation through cultivation of previously unproductive lands. Innovations such as drip irrigation, sand dams, and drought-resistant crops were reported. However, climate variability remains a major constraint: long rains declined significantly (−1.32 mm/season/year; p = 0.042) while annual maximum temperature increased by approximately 1.0°C since 1981 (+0.23°C/decade; p < 0.001), undermining crop yields and food productivity. Additionally, food price volatility linked to global events (COVID-19, the Ukraine–Russia war) and national policies marginalizing ASALs exacerbated food insecurity. Qualitative narratives indicated persistent food insecurity among vulnerable groups despite adaptation efforts. Discussion: Findings demonstrate that climate change impacts are compounded by global economic shocks and policy marginalization, reducing local resilience and food system stability. Integrated policy responses are needed, including market stabilization, targeted agricultural investments in ASALs, and social protection programs to buffer vulnerable communities against climate and economic shocks.

Agroforestry systems (AFS) offer valuable ecological services and multifunctionality, yet there are gaps regarding interactions between tree species (parti

Recent climate changes have increased the incidences of severe droughts and floods, which have increased the vulnerability of pastoralists in the Kenyan drylands. Thus, there is a need to carry out a situational analysis of groundwater as it is the main source of water which provides baseline information useful for planning Analysis of results indicates that Turkana County is dominated by shallow wells and boreholes with the shallowest wells located along the seasonal rivers and Lake Turkana. The borehole depth was found to range between 20 to 200m. Most of the boreholes located near Lake Turkana were shallower compared to those far away from the lake with a depth ranging between 0 to 52m. Most of the boreholes had a low yield that ranged between 1.2 to 4.6m3/hr be attributed to the basement rocks which are prevalent in the county and are classified as poor aquifers. The water points were mainly dense in urban areas, which was mainly the central region where the water demand was high and this was attributed to the high population. The groundwater levels occurred mostly at 13m indicating that Turkana County has mostly shallow aquifers that predominantly occurred along the river valleys and at the edge of the volcanic deposits. The groundwater quality is mainly saline as most of the boreholes had high TDS, EC and chloride levels. The presence of high fluoride levels indicates the presence of high volcanic rocks that have high fluoride ions that are largely prevalent in the study region. The Sulphate, Nitrite and Nitrate Levels in all the water samples analyzed were below the EU, WHO and KEBs standards indicating the low anthropogenic activities carried out in the drylands as most farmers are pastoralists. The most prevalent cation was sodium in some of the boreholes indicating why the groundwater was saline.

Climate governance leverages collaborative climate change adaptation actions. Despite many joint actions, gaps exist between policy and practice in climate adaptation among East African countries. Climate governance in East Africa takes cues from the state’s politics and policy structures underpinned by its level of political transformation. As such, climate governance confronts challenges common to all other policy sectors that integrate a complex mix of economic resource allocation and variables akin to the management of public affairs. This chapter identifies prebendalism, nepotism and political patronage in resource allocations. This chapter assesses the trends in climate change governance in East Africa. It addresses climate change policy frameworks on adaptation at regional, national and local governments, gaps between policy and practice of the nationally determined contributions (NDCs) and the management of climate-related conflicts. The chapter concludes by recommending further courses of action to strengthen climate governance among the local communities.

This is an interesting and easy to read paper. I have a few comments that can help improve the article. The authors should consider briefly explaining their methodological approach beyond what they have written. For example, why did they choose compa...

Shared sanitation facilities are not considered as basic sanitation owing to cleanliness and accessibility concerns. However, there is mounting evidence that some shared household toilets have a comparable level of service as private toilets. This study examined the factors that contribute to the quality of shared household toilets in low-income urban communities in Ghana and Kenya. The study design comprised household surveys and field inspections. Overall, 843 respondents were interviewed, and 838 household shared sanitation facilities were inspected. Cleanliness scores were computed from the facility inspections, while a total quality score was calculated based on 13 indicators comprising hygiene, privacy, and accessibility. Regression analyses were conducted to determine predictors of cleanliness and the overall quality of the shared sanitation facilities. More than four out of five (84%) shared toilets in Ghana (N = 404) were clean, while in Kenya (N = 434), nearly a third (32%) were clean. Flush/pour-flush toilets were six times (p < 0.01 aOR = 5.64) more likely to be clean. A functional outside door lock on a toilet facility and the presence of live-in landlords led to a threefold increase (p < 0.01 aOR = 2.71) and a twofold increase (p < 0.01 aOR = 1.92), respectively in the odds of shared sanitation cleanliness. Sanitation facilities shared by at most five households (95% CI: 6–7) were generally clean. High-quality shared toilets had live-in landlords, functional door locks, and were water-dependent. Further studies on innovative approaches to maintaining the quality of these high-quality shared toilets are needed to make them eligible for classification as basic sanitation considering the increasing reliance on the facilities.

: Sharing of sanitation is common in low-income settlements in Sub-Saharan Africa. However, shared (limited) sanitation facilities have been thought to pose health risks due to poor hygiene levels. Interventions to improve user behavior and cleanliness of shared sanitation are few, both in literature and in practice. This study details the codesign and testing of strategies to improve the cleanliness of shared sanitation facilities in low-income areas of Kisumu City in Kenya. The strategies included a cleaning plan, monitoring system, and discussions among users, and were codesigned through workshops with stakeholders and group discussions with landlords and tenants. These strategies were tested in 38 compound houses through the Trials of Improved Practices approach over a 5-month period. Field staff visited the compounds, observed the cleanliness of the shared toilets, and through discussions, encouraged users to develop a formal cleaning system and a monitoring plan. The discussions built social capital and collective action and facilitated uptake of the cleaning plan with notable improvements in cleanliness of shared toilets. The results support the acceptability of shared sanitation in low-income settlements, the importance of codesigning and coproducing solutions with users, and the need to evaluate the effects of these strategies on cleanliness of shared sanitation.