The man was herding livestock in his village of  Musuasuo, Kairungu sub location.  Speaking to the press, the young man's father said he heard him screaming for help when bandits invaded the region. 

On going to check what had happened, he found his son had been slaughtered by the camel herders who fled soon after. "His father heard him scream as he had been attacked.Upon arrival, he found the young man had been killed".

He was a student in Ngomeni Secondary School, Mwingi North constituency.

Climate change poses a significant threat to Kenya, affecting various aspects of life, from agriculture and water resources to health and infrastructure. Despite the urgent need for action, managing and mitigating climate change in Kenya has proven to be a complex and challenging task.

One of the primary challenges in managing climate change in Kenya is the country's economic constraints.

As a developing nation, Kenya faces numerous economic pressures that limit its ability to invest in climate change mitigation and adaptation measures.

The costs associated with transitioning to renewable energy, enhancing infrastructure resilience, and implementing sustainable agricultural practices are significant and often compete with other pressing national needs. "Financial limitations are a major barrier to effective climate change management in Kenya," Faith Karanja, an environmental economist at the University of Nairobi says.

Agriculture forms the backbone of Kenya’s economy, employing around 70% of the population and contributing roughly a third of the national GDP. With climate change intensifying and global temperatures rising, agriculture is negatively impacted especially the traditional farming which is increasingly becoming unviable. The impacts include declining agricultural productivity and loss of crops, livestock, fish and investments in agriculture due to changing temperatures and precipitation regimes and increased frequency and intensity of extreme weather events. 

Further, fisheries and aquaculture are affected through acidification of the water bodies, changes in water temperatures and circulation patterns which alter the physico-chemical properties of the fish habitats and ultimately the productivity. This has led to the sky-rocketing of prices of food stuffs as a result of reduction in yields will therefore disproportionately affect the poor. This will in turn necessitate increase in social protection spending by government aimed at poor households in both rural and urban areas. 

But farmers have adapted and embraced climate smart practices to counter the climate changes. In Tharaka Nithi County, for instance, farmer Helen Gatii has turned to water harvesting and mulching to ensure year-round food production despite erratic rains.

As global temperatures rise, so does health risks. Rising temperatures, more frequent and severe droughts and floods, and rapidly degrading soil health, pose a significant threat to livelihoods, human wellbeing and ecological systems, particularly in the arid regions. In arid and semi-arid areas, vulnerable groups, particularly children under five years of age, women of reproductive age, the elderly, persons with disabilities and those with mental health issues are affected.

Health experts warn the climate crisis could pave way to new diseases, potentially resulting in an estimated 24.5 million deaths by 2050. Dengue fever and malaria have spread due to changing rainfall patterns and warmer temperatures.

According to a report on deforestation, areas in western Kenya that were once malaria-free are now seeing a resurgence of the disease, with increased mosquito breeding due to loss of forest cover. Waterborne diseases are on the rise due to frequent floods. Waterborne illnesses like cholera, typhoid fever, schistosomiasis, and hepatitis A, which afflict people all over Sub-Saharan Africa, are significantly impacted by climate change. 

Climate change has a serious impact on education. In 2024, floods submerged schools. Above-average rains caused damage to school infrastructure, including the loss of textbooks, exercise books, desks, and other educational materials, and it also displacement students which left a lasting impact on learning outcomes keeping more than two million students—mostly in rural areas—out of classrooms for extended periods. This left students disadvantaged academically creating educational gap compared to the ones who were not affected .

The Kenyan government has taken significant steps to combat environmental degradation. One high-profile initiative is the National Tree Growing Day 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.

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.

The Kenyan government has formulated policies and plans to counter climate change such as global warming. Some of those policies include developing agencies responsible on monitoring climate change in Kenya. With all these plans and policies, challenges lie in implementation. Limited financial resources, corruption, and bureaucratic delays have slowed the rollout of climate-smart programs. However, international funding is still required, particularly from development partners like the Green Climate Fund. 

Experts believe that Kenya should prioritize subnational government participation and local resource mobilization.

Kenyan youth are actively addressing the climate catastrophe, addressing the effects of climate change in their communities and personal lives, and pushing for answers through a variety of projects. Realizing their part in creating a more sustainable future, many are actively engaged in climate change initiatives both domestically and abroad. 

Many young Kenyans are directly impacted by the effects of climate change, including droughts, floods, and food insecurity, motivating them to take action. Young Kenyans are participating in advocacy efforts to influence policy and promote climate justice, recognizing the disproportionate impact of climate change on marginalized communities. Groups like Climate Justice Kenya are demanding policy accountability, green job creation, and a just energy transition. Climate crisis adversely affects everyone. It should be looked into by one and all to prevent the future crisis.

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However, its implementation has sparked debate among educators, parents, and policymakers. The CBC framework follows a 2-6-3-3-3 model, which emphasizes skill development over rote memorization. According to the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD), the curriculum aims to foster critical thinking, problem-solving, and innovation. The Ministry of Education has argued that CBC aligns with global education trends, preparing students for a competitive job market.  

Despite its ambitious goals, CBC has faced numerous hurdles. One of the biggest concerns is the cost of learning materials, including specialized textbooks and tools, which have placed financial strain on low-income families. Additionally, teacher retraining has been a slow process, with many educators struggling to adapt to the new teaching methods.  

Another major issue has been policy inconsistencies. The government recently announced a shift from CBC to Competency-Based Education (CBE), arguing that the new approach would simplify learning pathways and make education more accessible. (MyGov Kenya, March 29, 2025). This sudden change has raised concerns about the lack of a clear implementation strategy, with critics accusing the Ministry of Education of flip-flopping on key decisions (Nation.Africa, April 2, 2025).  

One of the most debated aspects of CBC has been the status of mathematics in senior school. Initially, the Ministry proposed making mathematics optional for students not pursuing STEM subjects. However, after public outcry from teachers’ unions and education experts, the government reversed its decision, making mathematics compulsory across all pathways.  

Moses Nthurima, acting Secretary General of the Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET), criticized the initial proposal, arguing that mathematics is essential for logical reasoning and problem-solving across disciplines. Parents have also voiced concerns about whether schools have the necessary resources to support differentiated mathematics instruction.  

 

As Kenya navigates the complexities of education reform, stakeholders continue to push for greater clarity and consistency in policy decisions. The Ministry of Education has promised further consultations to fine tune the system and address concerns raised by educators and parents.  

While CBC represents a bold step towards modernizing education, its success will depend on effective implementation, adequate funding, and stakeholder engagement. As the debate continues, one thing is clear—Kenya’s education system is at a crossroads, and the decisions made today will shape the future of millions of learners in years to come.

Every morning, in parts of Igembe and Tigania sub counties young boys and girls stream into miraa farms. Instead of heading to class, they’re harvesting, bundling, and selling the cash crop. For many families, the Sh500 to Sh1,000 a child can earn in a day is a welcome income, especially in regions struggling with poverty.

But the consequences are stark. Thousands of children have dropped out of school. According to local authorities, more than 30,000 children are estimated to be working in miraa farms across Meru County. Many skip school for days or weeks, while others never return at all.

Children are particularly preferred in harvesting because of their size and light weight. They can climb miraa trees easily and pick without damaging the delicate branches. But while they earn, they also lose the chance to learn.

The popularity of miraa is deeply rooted in the Ameru culture. It is chewed during ceremonies, meetings, and even used as a gift. Many parents and local leaders are themselves miraa farmers or traders. The misplaced idea that school is optional, and that a child can succeed by joining the miraa trade early, is becoming more common.

In some homes, education takes a back seat to immediate income which is miraa. Some boys who earn from miraa begin to see themselves as breadwinners. They buy motorbikes, start families early, and abandon school permanently. Girls, meanwhile, often face early marriages to these financially independent boys.

Community Waking Up  Slowly

Efforts are being made to reverse the trend. The Njuri Ncheke Council of Elders has started speaking out against child labour in miraa farms. Some churches and NGOs are running campaigns to encourage children to stay in school.

Saccos formed around miraa farming are introducing school fee loans to help families keep children in class. County officials are also pushing for stricter enforcement of child labour laws. But change is slow, and resistance is strong.

Many families fear losing income. Some leaders avoid the topic altogether, afraid of political backlash for speaking against what many voters consider a sacred economic pillar.

Way Forward

The situation in Meru calls for a delicate balance. Miraa is not just a crop; it is the main source of income for millions. Yet, without education, the region risks raising a generation unprepared for the future.

A long-term solution lies in diversifying the economy, raising awareness about the importance of education, and providing better support for poor families. Strict enforcement of child labour laws must go hand-in-hand with opportunities for parents to earn without relying on their children.

Miraa has built Meru, but it must not be allowed to bury the dreams of its youngest generation. The children of Meru deserve both a strong heritage and a solid education. It’s time to ensure they get both.