Climate-Impacted Loss and Damage in Kenya
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Abstract

This case study is based on Climate Refugees’ October 2022 research and interviews with 85 climate-impacted and displaced persons in Kenya experiencing climate-induced displacement, migration, and human rights losses. Kenya is dealing with multiple effects and impacts related to climate change, including floods, drought, landslides, rising lake waters, and locust infestations among others. Kenya is also dealing with the current Horn of Africa drought, the worst to strike the region in 40 years. The IPCC Sixth Assessment Report has warned of the risk of high-water stress in Africa. Drylands occupy 90% of Kenya, and the impact of the drought on arid and semi-arid lands (ASALs) has been acute. The number of people forced to migrate by drought in Kenya could be as high as 286,000, with over 8 million Kenyans affected in some way.