EFFECTS OF DROUGHT

For the past five months, most parts of Kenya have experienced a prolonged period of drought. The counties that were most affected are Turkana and Samburu. Prolonged drought can lead to desertification. In terms of agriculture, desertification is the process by which fertile land becomes desert, typically as a result of drought and deforestation or inappropriate agriculture.

Deforestation has been the major cause of the drought. This is the process of cutting trees without replacing them. Most people normally cut down trees for various reasons. After cutting trees they do not replace them.

Some people cut down trees because they want timber for construction purposes. They use timber to build houses and other constructions. They build their own houses or for other people which they sell to other people. After selling the houses, they are able to get money which they use to cater to their needs.

Another reason why people cut down trees, is to get firewood. This firewood is used for cooking the food that we eat. Fire can also act as a source of security to the people at night. It provides security against hostile animals and people at night. Apart from that, the fire also provides warmth to the people during the cold session. In order to prevent animals’ attack, we need to plant more trees.

Prolonged drought has led to the death of both human beings and animals. At least eleven people were reported to have died due to lack of food and water as a result of prolonged drought.
Animals such as camels and donkeys which can survive in a desert land were also reported to have died.

In the desert land, people have to walk for long distances in search of pasture and water for the animals and also food for human consumption. Sometime, they may return home empty-handed. In this case, the most affected people are the elderly from these communities. Some of them are so elderly that they can not walk for long distance. They only wait as the other family members go to search for the water and food.

Prolonged drought has also led to an increase in price for agriculture products. The vegetable that was being sold at 50\= is now sold at 100\=. This is because some of the vegetables dried up due to prolonged drought.

We can come up with some measure that will help us during the drought session by practicing afforestation. This refers to the planting of trees. We can do this by forcing the person who has cut down one tree to plant three trees. By doing this there will be more trees to provide us shelter during the hot session.

Trees also act as a source of rain. If we plant more trees in the country we will be providing a source of rain in the community. They will also prevent soils erosion which is caused by various agents such as wind. Trees also provide shelter to both animals and human beings. Wild animals depend on trees for both food and shelter. Human beings can relax under the shade of the trees after they are done with their daily activities.

Furthermore, we can control drought by planting drought-resistant crops such as cassava, sweet potatoes, and yams. If we plant more of these crops they will be of benefit to us during the drought session.

Apart from the distribution of food to the affected areas, the government may build more warehouses and ensure that there is enough food to cater for the people up to a certain period of time let us a year. This food will cater to the people who live in drought-affected areas such as Turkana and Samburu. This will also save the lives of more people.