ABSTRACT
Climate change is challenging the livelihoods of the poor throughout Kenya, including in Nairobi city. There is generally a low level of knowledge and awareness about climate change and its effect on water availability in Nairobi. People tend to see a very remote connection between what is happening to the environment and anthropogenic activities. The impacts of climate change in Kenya include reduced availability of and access to water, causing rationing during droughts; reduced hydropower generation (which is a major energy source for the country); and increased vulnerability of the urban poor. Due to climate variability and factors such as droughts and interference with watersheds in Kenya, hydropower has been fluctuating and it is becoming irregular. The government has introduced thermal and geothermal energy projects, among others, to address this problem, but the solutions will take some time to materialize. Those relying on electricity for their livelihoods (e.g. in factories or home-based industries) and for personal safety (requiring well-lighted public spaces) are negatively affected by these changes.
