The Kitui County Director of Meteorological Services Daniel Mbithi added that these rains are likely to increase in intensity during the weekend. Also expected are afternoon and night showers and thunderstorms.

At the same time, "strong North easterly to easterly winds with speed exceeding 12.5 knots are expected in most parts of the county ".

For many, “kuinama” isn’t a choice. It’s a survival tactic. “Unless you have a sponsor or some serious side hustle, you learn to bend,” says Grace Wanjiku, a third-year literature student. “Kuinama means skipping lunch, pretending you’re fasting, or acting like you’re too busy to eat. But deep down, you’re just broke.”

The cost of a basic meal around campus ranges from KSh 80 to KSh 150. Multiply that by five days a week, and it’s easy to see why lunch becomes a luxury. HELB loans, often delayed or barely enough, are prioritized for rent, fees, and emergencies. Food? That's a “we’ll figure it out” problem.

“Kuinama” has evolved from a coping mechanism into a culture,  a word used jokingly, a badge of resilience, even pride.

“There’s this unspoken code,” says Brian Otieno, a business major. “You joke about ‘kuinama’ to hide the struggle. You’ll say, ‘leo tunainama’ (today we’re bending), but no one really wants to admit they haven’t eaten since yesterday.”

Peer pressure also plays a role. In a world of curated Instagram meals and stylish campus lifestyles, admitting to hunger feels like defeat. Some students resort to sugar water, black tea, or shared biscuits to trick the stomach into silence.

To avoid “kuinama,” students are increasingly turning to side hustles. From running errands, freelancing online, to hawking thrifted clothes, these micro-jobs often dictate their class attendance and social life.

“I sell smokies and eggs in the evening,” says Lucy Mwikali, a second-year student at Chuka University  “But on days I make less than KSh 200, I skip lunch the next day. Simple math.”

Others take more drastic measures. Some skip lectures to save fare, walk long distances, or share a single meal among three friends. The choices are tough study on an empty stomach or miss class to work for your next meal.

Health experts warn that skipping meals  especially lunch  can affect academic performance, mood, and mental health. Hunger affects concentration, weakens immunity, and contributes to anxiety and fatigue.

“The irony is that students are expected to be their most productive during their university years, But many are operating on half-empty stomachs and full mental loads.”says Dr Felix Kiratu a nutritionist.

University administrations often turn a blind eye to “kuinama.” While some institutions offer subsidized meals or food banks, the reach is limited and the stigma is real.

As the sun sets and students prepare for evening classes, many will have gone a full day without eating. Tomorrow, they’ll wake up and do it all again  smiling, joking, bending. Kuinama.

She was a teacher once. Not just any teacher, but the kind who made students believe in themselves. The kind who spoke with authority, not because she demanded respect, but because she deserved it. She carried herself with dignity, with purpose. She was educated, intelligent—a woman people looked up to.

Now, people look at her different. They whisper when she passes by, they laugh when she mumbles to herself, they avoid her when she gets lost in her thoughts. 

The woman they see today is not the woman she was. And maybe that’s the hardest part. Knowing who she used to be, knowing who she could have been, and watching as the world only sees what she has become.

She wasn’t always like this. She was once full of life, full of dreams. She was a mother who worked hard to give her children a future she never had. A single mother, but never a broken one. She woke up every morning with purpose. She walked into classrooms, stood in front of blackboards, and shaped minds. She took pride in her work, in the knowledge she passed down. 

At home, she did her best. She wasn’t perfect. No mother is. But she loved fiercely. She fought for us, provided for us; wanted the best for us.

Then, little by little, everything started changing.It didn’t happen overnight. At first, it was just exhaustion. She would forget small things—where she put her keys, what day it was, the names of her students. Nothing too alarming. Just life. Just stress.

Then came the paranoia. She believed people were talking about her, even when they were not. She heard whispers in rooms that were silent. She thought her colleagues were plotting against her, her students mocking her.

The school noticed. Meetings were missed. Lessons were left unfinished. She was losing control, and the people around her could see it. And one day, they told her she couldn’t teach anymore.Losing that job wasn’t just losing a paycheck. It was losing herself.

Mental illness doesn’t get better when life gets harder. It feeds on pain, on loneliness, on the things no one wants to talk about. 

Without work, without structure, she started slipping further. Some days, she wouldn’t get out of bed. Other days, she would talk too fast, her mind running ahead of her words. And then there were the worst days—the ones where she wasn’t there at all, where she was just a body moving through the world without seeing it.

The neighbors noticed. They started whispering. People avoided her, crossing the road when they saw her coming. 

No one asked what happened. No one wanted to understand. The world is cruel to people like her. Society does not know what to do with mothers who lose themselves. A woman with an unstable mind is no longer seen as a woman, just a problem no one wants to deal with. But she is still here.

There are days when she remembers. Days when she talks about the past as if it’s still real, as if she could wake up tomorrow and walk back into a classroom like nothing ever happened. There are days when she is just a mother again. When she asks how I’m doing, when she holds my hand like she used to when I was little, when she looks at me and I know—she sees me.

Those days remind me that she is still in there, somewhere.

And maybe, just maybe, someday all this will be gone. Maybe one day, my story will change.At the end of the day, she is still my mother.

Inspired by true story.

This article explains the history and background of the initiatives, section of the nation’s history, as well as efforts that are being made to achieve better results in the future – challenges that the nation faces on those grounds are also explored.

After gaining independence, the country focused on bettering the management of natural resources around for sustainable development. The Watamu Marine National Park establishment in 1968 marks the first serious attempt in protecting the marine ecosystems that were existing at the time. Furthermore, this marine park is part of UN designated World Biosphere Reserve which gives other nations confirmation that Kenya is serious in its pursuit for preserving oceans that are of great importance to them.

In the year 2013, Kenya gained extra mark for showcasing deep concern for ecological issues with National Environment Policy. With this policy, the country was targeting ensuring limitations and guide in the active step(s) over frameworks toward sustainably managing the environment and natural resources available in the institutions the nation has controlling powers over as well as those in private hands. 

Priorities also included improving laws concerning bad governance, economic advancement in the country, poverty alleviation or in development aid, and merging all those with environmental sustainability. 

The late Prof Wangari Maathai is without a doubt one of the most important figures in Kenya’s environmental history. In 1977, she started the Green Belt Movement (Affiliated with the United Nations Environment Programme). This branch-non-profit organization was primarily focused on tree planting, environmental conservation, and the empowerment of women. GBM (Groot Brabo Medical) has trained over 30,000 women towards sustainable practices, planting over 51 million trees during the process.

In 2004, she was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, which made her the first African woman to receive this award. Because of her efforts, not only communities restored the environment, it enabled women to take control and manage the resources around them.

In the documentary, Taking Root; The Vision of Wangari Maathai, it shows the struggles Maathai faced on her journey on forest conversation. “She was often brutalized by the police, and even went on hunger strikes, which now as a parent, I know was an enormous sacrifice. It was difficult to watch all this from abroad,” says Wanjira, Wangari Maathai’s daughter.

Wangari Maathai encouraged community involvement in tree planting and conversation of the environment. 

The changes done on Karura Forest in Nairobi stands as a proof of success of community-led projects. The forest was saved from illegal activities through activism spearheaded by Wangari Maathai and is now a recreational site as well as a conservation area.

The programs of environmental education directed by the Karura Forest Environmental Education Trust for the young people of Kenya have raised the level of environmental awareness, thus encouraging a culture of conservation from a very young age.

The Green Belt Movement has acted as the steeping stone in environmental conversation in Kenya. In the bold movement to preserve environmental conservation, Kenya developed amendments to its environmental management and coordination Act but the same could not be processed in time before the 2022 general elections. That bill included the recognition of the rights of nature.

In the following year, Kenya declared November 13, 2023, as National Tree Growing Day, making it the first country to establish a public holiday dedicated to tree planting. This initiative is part of a broader plan to plant 15 billion trees by 2032 and increase forest cover to 30% by 2050. On the inaugural day, approximately 150 million tree seedlings were planted nationwide.

With the drastic rise of global warming, Kenya has put significant focus on the harnessing and output of renewable energy in order to fight climate change. Lake Turkana Wind Power Station, Africa's largest wind farm, contributes 310 megawatts to the national grid, which is 15-17% of Kenya's installed energy capacity. The project has significantly lowered emission of greenhouse gases, including creating jobs and helping local businesses and communities.

Kipeto Wind Power Station located in Kajiado County supplies 102 megawatts of power to approximately 250,000 households. It also falls in line with Vision 2030 as the station intends to and is planning for modernization of the power grid and universal electricity access.

The Kenyan government has also established a special envoy on climate change. This envoy advices the president on climate changes policy and action, and represents Kenya in international forums and negotiations.

The global carbon budget report is produced by an international team of more than 120 scientists, providing an annual, peer-reviewed update that measures global greenhouse gas emissions and their causes. In the past, only carbon emissions from fossils showed an upward trend, but their analysis shows that this year, emissions from both fossil and land use change as deforestation for farming or development are likely to increase. The envoy committee report that the 2023-2024 El Nino event partly contributed to the emissions, because of the droughts that led to forest fires leading to degradation.

In a statement by global carbon budget, Pierre Friedlingstein, of Exeter’s global systems institute, explains that while the impacts of climate change are worsening, their data shows no sign of a peak in the burning of fossil fuels. “Time is running out to meet the Paris agreement goals and world leaders meeting at COP29 must bring about rapid and deep cuts to fossil fuels emissions to give us a chance of staying well below 20°C warming above pre-industrial levels," he said. The Paris agreement asks countries to limit global warming to about 1.5°C below pre-industrial levels.

This environmental conversation helps preserve and maintain existence. These development point reality that human beings need to make peace with Mother Earth by recognizing we are not the most important species on the planet. Instead, we need to be humble to appreciate the regenerative nature of the ecosystem, if impaired by our greed such as deforestation and mass tree harvesting, the entire planetary balance will be lost. It is why nature can now speak for itself and make demands.

It is imperative that efforts to address the planetary crisis explore bold, radical and innovative solutions if we are to win the war against the ongoing threats. A business-as-usual approach will led us having no planet in a few years. Environmental governance is no longer an issue for a few experts, or for those with an interest in the environment. It is a conversation that affects lives and livelihoods and the existence of not only Kenyans but the entire planet where it requires concerted action to ensure the existential threats such as global warming can be eliminated. 

Kenya's journey in environmental conservation  showcases a nation dedicated to preserving its natural heritage. 

The world she knew was changing, and the culprits were invisible yet pervasive: gases that trap heat and disrupt the delicate balance of Earth’s climate.

The Science Behind Greenhouse Gases

Greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), and fluorinated gases, act like a blanket around the Earth. They allow sunlight to pass through the atmosphere but trap the heat that radiates back from the planet’s surface. This natural greenhouse effect is essential for life, keeping Earth’s temperature warm enough to sustain ecosystems. However, human activities have intensified this effect, pumping excessive amounts of these gases into the atmosphere and causing global temperatures to rise.Carbon dioxide is the most prevalent greenhouse gas, primarily emitted through burning fossil fuels like coal, oil, and natural gas for energy, transportation, and industry. 

Deforestation exacerbates the problem, as trees that once absorbed CO2 are felled, reducing the planet’s capacity to sequester carbon. Methane, though less abundant, is far more potent, with a heat-trapping capacity over 25 times greater than CO2 over 100 years. It emanates from agriculture (notably livestock digestion), landfills, and natural gas production. 

Nitrous oxide, often released from agricultural practices and industrial processes, is nearly 300 times more effective at trapping heat than CO2. Fluorinated gases, used in industrial applications and refrigeration, have an even higher warming potential, though their emissions are smaller in volume.The result of these emissions is a warming planet.

According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), global temperatures have already risen by approximately 1.1°C since pre-industrial times, with projections estimating a rise of 1.5°C to 4.5°C by 2100 if emissions are not curbed. This warming drives a cascade of environmental changes, from melting glaciers to extreme weather events, threatening ecosystems, economies, and human livelihoods.

Environmental Impacts: A Planet in Peril

Maria’s shrinking glacier is just one manifestation of the greenhouse gas crisis. Glaciers worldwide are retreating at alarming rates, with the World Glacier Monitoring Service reporting that global glacier mass has declined by over 30% since the 1980s. In Eastleigh, residents like John, a lifelong neighbor of Maria, have watched the ice dwindle year after year. “We’ve seen the ice retreat more and more,” John says, his voice tinged with resignation. “It’s not just the view—it’s the water we rely on.” Glaciers are critical freshwater reservoirs that feed rivers and sustain agriculture and drinking supplies. Their loss threatens water security for millions. 

Beyond glaciers, greenhouse gases are reshaping the planet in profound ways. Rising temperatures are intensifying weather patterns, leading to more frequent and severe hurricanes, droughts, heat waves, and floods. In 2024 alone, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) recorded over 20 billion-dollar weather disasters in the United States, a stark increase from previous decades. Coastal communities face rising sea levels, driven by melting ice caps and thermal expansion of warming oceans. The IPCC estimates that sea levels could rise by 0.3 to 1.1 meters by 2100, displacing millions in low-lying regions like Bangladesh and the Maldives.

Ecosystems are also under siege. Coral reefs, often called the “rainforests of the sea,” are bleaching and dying as ocean temperatures rise and acidification intensifies. The Great Barrier Reef has lost over 50% of its coral cover since the 1990s.

On land, warming climates are shifting habitats, forcing species to migrate, adapt, or face extinction. The polar bear, dependent on sea ice for hunting, faces a precarious future as Arctic ice dwindles.

Human Impacts: A Global Challenge

The consequences of greenhouse gases extend beyond the environment, affecting human societies in profound ways. Agriculture, a cornerstone of global food security, is increasingly vulnerable to climate shifts. Droughts and floods disrupt crop yields while changing temperature patterns alter growing seasons. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) estimates that global crop yields could decline by up to 25% by 2050 in some regions, exacerbating hunger and food insecurity.

Public health is also at risk. Heat waves, becoming more frequent and intense, pose dangers to vulnerable populations, particularly the elderly and those without access to cooling. Air pollution, exacerbated by higher temperatures, worsens respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. Vector-borne diseases like malaria and dengue are spreading to new regions as warmer climates expand mosquito habitats.

Economically, the costs are staggering. The National Bureau of Economic Research projects that climate change could reduce global GDP by 10% by 2050 under a high-emissions scenario. Developing nations, often least responsible for emissions, face disproportionate impacts, lacking the resources to adapt to rising seas or extreme weather.

Solutions: A Call to Action

Maria’s balcony view is a stark reminder of the urgent need to address the greenhouse gas crisis. While the challenge is daunting, solutions exist. Transitioning to renewable energy sources like solar, wind, and hydropower can drastically reduce CO2 emissions. Energy efficiency, from LED lighting to electric vehicles, further cut the demand for fossil fuels. Reforestation and sustainable land management can restore carbon sinks, while innovations in carbon capture and storage hold promise for reducing atmospheric CO2. 

Policy plays a critical role. The Paris Agreement, signed by nearly 200 countries, aims to limit global warming to 1.5°C through national commitments to reduce emissions. Governments can incentivize clean energy, impose carbon taxes, and regulate emissions from industry. However, progress has been uneven, with many nations falling short of their targets.

Individuals, too, have a role. Reducing meat consumption, minimizing waste, and choosing sustainable transportation options can lower personal carbon footprints.

Advocacy and education are equally vital in  empowering communities to demand systemic change.

The Path Forward

As Maria gazes at the shrinking glacier, she feels a mix of grief and resolve. The future of our planet depends on the actions we take today. Each one of us has a role to play in mitigating this global threat before it’s too late. By embracing science, policy, and collective action, we can curb greenhouse gas emissions and safeguard the Earth for future generations. The time to act is now.