Building Resilience Through Ecosystem Restoration and Nature-Based Solutions
In the wake of the devastating floods that ravaged Kenya in April and May, the country faces a pivotal moment. This catastrophic event, which claimed 294 lives, displaced over 100,000 households, and caused massive destruction to infrastructure and farmland, has exposed Kenya’s vulnerabilities in the face of the growing climate crisis.
As the country embarks on the arduous task of rebuilding, it must seize this opportunity to not only restore what was lost but to emerge stronger, more resilient, and better prepared to withstand the impacts of future extreme weather events. The key lies in embracing a holistic, ecosystem-based approach that harnesses the power of nature to mitigate flood risks and build long-term sustainability.
Harnessing the Power of Nature
Careful and strategically planned ecosystem restoration should be at the forefront of Kenya’s rebuilding efforts. This means revitalizing degraded landscapes, such as the denuded hills in the Great Rift Valley and the Aberdare Ranges, which contribute to rapid runoff and downstream flooding. By restoring these critical water catchment areas, Kenya can help slow the flow of floodwaters, improve water infiltration, and reduce sedimentation in rivers.
“Carefully planned ecosystem restoration — including in urban areas — will help enhance the resilience of landscapes, reduce erosion and sedimentation, improve water infiltration and provide valuable ecosystem services that help to mitigate flood risks and protect communities and infrastructure from the impacts of flooding,” explains Susan Onyango, the Communications and Engagement Director for WRI Africa.
In addition to landscape-scale restoration, Kenya should also promote the integration of green infrastructure and nature-based solutions within its cities and urban centers. This includes the restoration of wetlands, reconnection of floodplains, and the creation of riparian buffers along riverbanks. These approaches harness the natural ability of ecosystems to absorb, retain, and slow down floodwaters, while providing additional benefits such as water purification, habitat conservation, and recreational opportunities.
However, to ensure the success of these efforts, it is critical that the right tree species are planted in the appropriate areas, and that robust monitoring and community engagement strategies are put in place. Engaging local communities in the planning and implementation of these nature-based solutions will not only enhance their effectiveness but also empower residents to take ownership and stewardship of their local environments.
Strengthening Urban Resilience
As the devastating floods have shown, Kenya’s urban areas, particularly the informal settlements, have been disproportionately impacted by these extreme events. Addressing the challenges faced by these vulnerable communities must be a priority in the rebuilding process.
Proper urban planning and compliance with building regulations will be key to protecting critical infrastructure and safeguarding lives. County governments must step up their efforts to enforce compliance, especially in the cities where flooding has been most catastrophic. Preserving urban green spaces and ensuring that construction guidelines are strictly followed will be crucial in mitigating the impacts of future floods.
Moreover, the interconnectedness of urban areas with their surrounding landscapes cannot be overlooked. The health and resilience of upstream watersheds and ecosystems have a direct bearing on the flood risks faced by downstream urban communities. By integrating nature-based solutions across the urban-rural continuum, Kenya can create a more holistic and resilient system that can withstand the challenges posed by climate change.
Accessing Adaptation Finance
As Kenya grapples with the financial burden of rebuilding, it must look to various sources of climate adaptation financing to supplement its own resources. The recently established Loss and Damage Fund, agreed upon at COP28, presents an opportunity for the country to seek much-needed support for its infrastructure restoration efforts.
However, the pledges made to this fund are currently woefully inadequate, underscoring the urgent need for increased global commitment to support developing nations like Kenya that are bearing the brunt of the climate crisis.
“Kenya must push for implementation of the Loss and Damage Fund established at COP28 to help rebuild the country’s infrastructure, although the pledges are woefully inadequate,” Onyango emphasizes.
Beyond the Loss and Damage Fund, Kenya should also actively explore other avenues for adaptation financing, such as the African Adaptation Acceleration Program, which offers opportunities to scale up nature-based solutions for adapting the continent’s urban and rural infrastructure to climate change. The African Development Bank’s commitment to allocate 55% of its total financing to climate finance further demonstrates the potential for Kenya to access the necessary resources to build back stronger.
Strengthening Early Warning Systems and Community Engagement
Effective early warning systems that provide timely and accurate information about impending floods to at-risk communities can play a crucial role in saving lives and minimizing losses. As climate shocks are projected to increase in the future, Kenya should prioritize the development and implementation of multi-hazard early warning systems that can alert communities about a range of climate-related threats, including floods, droughts, landslides, and coastal storms.
Complementing these technical systems, Kenya must also invest in strengthening community-based disaster preparedness and response initiatives. By engaging local communities, raising awareness about flood risks, and empowering residents to take proactive measures to protect themselves and their properties, the country can build social cohesion and enhance overall resilience to future floods.
“During the recent floods, community-based organizations were the first responders to the crisis. In Nairobi, these groups organized community members to quickly evacuate and also collected data of affected households with speed,” Onyango notes. “These local community groups became the custodians of already established informal mechanisms of warning dissemination and response that can be tapped, enhanced and scaled.”
By integrating community-led initiatives with government-led efforts, Kenya can create a more holistic and effective approach to disaster risk management, ensuring that vulnerable populations are not left behind.
Tackling Systemic Challenges for a Resilient Future
As Kenya embarks on the journey of rebuilding, it must also address the underlying systemic issues that have contributed to the country’s vulnerabilities. Corruption, poor implementation of regulations, and the lack of a coordinated, cross-sectoral approach to disaster risk management have all exacerbated the impacts of the recent floods.
To break this cycle, the government must take a hard look at its existing policies, plans, and institutional frameworks, and ensure that they are not only aligned with the realities of the climate crisis but also rigorously implemented and enforced.
The 2015-2045 National Spatial Plan and the 2018 Thematic Plan for Disaster Risk Management, for instance, have proposed numerous strategies to conserve water catchment areas, climate-proof infrastructure, and create social safety nets for the most vulnerable. However, these plans have largely remained on the shelves, with limited progress in their implementation.
By prioritizing the execution of these existing frameworks and continuously adapting them to the evolving climate landscape, Kenya can lay the foundation for a more resilient future. This will require a concerted effort across all levels of government, from the national to the county and local levels, as well as strong collaboration with the private sector, civil society, and local communities.
Moreover, Kenya must also address the issue of solid waste management, which has exacerbated the impacts of the recent floods. The indiscriminate dumping of waste into storm waterways has clogged rivers and drainage systems, fueling the rapid accumulation of floodwaters. Tackling this challenge will require a nationwide behavioral change, as well as the implementation of sustainable waste management systems that prioritize collection, recycling, and proper disposal.
By addressing these systemic challenges and fostering a culture of collective responsibility, Kenya can build a more resilient and sustainable future, one that can withstand the growing threats posed by climate change.
Conclusion: A Call to Action
The devastating floods that have ravaged Kenya serve as a stark reminder of the urgent need to rethink and rebuild the country’s approach to disaster risk management and climate adaptation. As the country embarks on the daunting task of recovery and reconstruction, it must seize this opportunity to not only restore what was lost but to emerge stronger, more resilient, and better prepared to face the challenges of the future.
By embracing a holistic, ecosystem-based approach that harnesses the power of nature, strengthening urban resilience, accessing adaptation finance, and empowering communities, Kenya can chart a path forward that not only protects its people and infrastructure but also safeguards the natural systems that sustain them.
The road ahead will be long and arduous, but with the collective commitment of the government, the private sector, civil society, and the people of Kenya, the country can emerge from this crisis as a beacon of resilience and sustainable development. It is time to act, to rebuild Kenya stronger, and to create a future where communities can thrive in harmony with the natural world.
As Joint Action for Water blog, we stand ready to support Kenya’s efforts and to share the lessons learned from this experience with the global community, in the hope that others can learn from Kenya’s journey and build a more resilient and sustainable future for all.
