The Kenya National Disaster Operation Centre

Kenya experiences a number of natural hazards, the most common being weather related, including floods, droughts, landslides, lightning/thunderstorms, wild fires, and strong winds. Other hazards experienced in Kenya include HIV/AIDS, and conflict. In the recent past these hazards have increased in number, frequency and complexity. The level of destruction has also become more severe with more deaths of people and animals, loss of livelihoods, destruction of infrastructure among other effects resulting in losses of varying magnitudes.

The Arid and semi-arid lands of Kenya make up more than 80% of Kenya’s landmass, support nearly half of the livestock population of the country and over 30% of the total human population.14 The Arid and Semi-arid Lands (ASALs) are prone to harsh weather conditions rendering the communities within this region vulnerable to natural hazards, mainly droughts. The ASALS, due to their fragile ecosystems, unfavourable climate, poor infrastructure and historical marginalisation these areas represent a major development challenge for the affected populations, the Government of Kenya and its development.

Drought is the most prevalent natural hazard in Kenya affecting mainly Eastern, North Eastern, parts of Rift Valley and coast Provinces. Floods seasonally affect various parts of the country especially along the flood plains in the Lake Victoria basin and in Tana river while landslides are experienced during the long rains season running from March to May especially in Murang’a district and areas surrounding the Mount Kenya region.