Kenyan farmers brace for heavy rains as strongest El Niño approaches

In Siapa, western Kenya, clouds are gathering as smallholder farmers prepare for a brief rainy period that is projected to be far more intense than usual because of an exceptionally strong El Niño. Monica Nderitu, a climate adviser with Vi-skogen, notes that the heavy rains could lead to life-threatening floods and landslides, often washing away entire farms and killing livestock. Emily Ouko, a technical adviser for the same NGO, explains that saturated fields may ruin sensitive crops and wash away the upper soil layer, endangering future harvests that families depend on for food, clothing and school fees.

Since January, Vi-skogen has been educating farmers on mitigation measures, including water-collection pits, terracing, grass barriers, and planting bananas and cover crops that stabilize soil and reduce erosion. Farmers are also encouraged to grow quick-harvest vegetables and maize before the rains arrive, as well as fruit trees that can establish roots in time. Ongoing preparedness now hinges on each farmer’s decisions and actions.