“There is No Time Left” Climate Change, Environmental Threats, and Human Rights in Turkana County, Kenya

This Human Rights Watch report, published on 15 October 2015, finds that climate change, in combination with existing political, environmental and economic development challenges in Turkana, has had an impact on the Turkana people’s ability to access food, water, health and security. Turkana County, Kenya, has long experienced periods of cyclical drought. However, increasing temperatures and shifting precipitation patterns, combined with population growth and threats to Lake Turkana from hydroelectric and irrigation projects in Ethiopia, present significant, long-term challenges for the Turkana County and Kenyan national governments.  

Increased temperatures and unpredictable rainy seasons have placed increased pressure on water resources, resulting in less dry season grazing land, diminished livestock herds, and increased competition over grazing lands. Pastoralists told that prolonged and more frequent droughts have exacerbated already difficult access to potable water, making every day a struggle for survival. Women and girls often walk extremely long distances to dig for water in dry riverbeds. Many children become sick because their families are unable to provide them with sufficient food and clean water. In northern Turkana County, increased competition over grazing lands and water has heightened the likelihood of conflict and insecurity.

Research was conducted in Turkana County between April 2014 and February 2015, interviewing 40 people, including pastoralists, fishers, health clinic staff, students, teachers, local civil society activists, and police officers. In addition, international, Kenyan and Turkana County laws, policies and development plans were reviewed, including the Turkana County Development Plan and the Kenya National Climate Change Action Plan. Researchers also met with Turkana County and Kenyan national government officials.