An Assessment of Perceived Socioeconomic Impacts of Climate Change on the Community of Faza Island, Lamu East District, Kenya.

Abstract

A study of the Social and Economic impacts of Climate Change on the residents of the Kenyan Indian Ocean island of Faza (also known as Rasini), was conducted between October and November 2010. This was a descriptive study intended to determine how the climate change phenomenon had affected the residents of Faza, in terms of their subsistence, their living conditions and their commercial welfare. Data was collected primarily using Questionnaires which were administered to heads of 61 households (where household heads were unavailable an adult member of the household was interviewed). Key Informant interviews and a Focus Group discussion (involving local Fishermen) were the other data collection instruments used. Climate Change has had a significant effect on the lives of Faza residents, with water scarcity being possibly the most formidable burden that the villagers in Faza must contend with each and every day. From the findings of this study it was apparent that the locals did not have much knowledge of the concept of Climate Change. They had, however, observed an altering of the island’s climatic conditions over the last decade. Frequent episodes of drought were a commonly mentioned outcome of this change in climate in the preceding ten years. Faza’s residents have no piped water on the island. They rely solely on rainwater for their consumption needs. All over the island rainwater is collected and drained into “Djabias” (concrete water storage containers built either above or below ground and widely used in Faza). This water is then sold commercially to residents. Increased temperatures have been experienced by villagers over the past ten years, and weather-related disease and ailments – including Malaria, Diaorrhea and Typhoid have been on the increase. New health-related afflictions such as Diabetes, Stomach Ulcers, High Blood Pressure and Tooth ailments have emerged. Fishing is the economic lifeline for the village of Faza. Fishing income is responsible for most local expenditure on food, education, health, travel and any developmental activity taking place on the island. Fish production has been on a decline since the year 2000, and this has had village-wide repercussions. The failure of Fishermen to afford school fees for their children has resulted in a high drop-out rate from school. A result of this is the high number of school-age looking for or working in the local jetty and fish landing site. These idle youth have now begun indulging in the use of illegal narcotic substances that are nowadays easily obtained in the village. Expenditure on household goods is sometimes severely limited in many fishing households. With the erratic rainfall patterns experienced in Faza over the last decade, agricultural production has been greatly affected. Output of the main food and cash crops (viz. Maize, Sorghum, Cashew nuts, Mangoes, SimSim and Coconuts) has been low, and actually falling. Ironically though, in 2009 the village recorded an increase in its Maize harvest, following heavy rains. A significant form of adaptation to these climatic changes has been for some local fishermen opting to turn to agriculture as an alternative livelihood. High poverty levels amongst the village’s population have been a major obstacle to the adaptation efforts by the community. The sheer lack of resources at their disposal renders them incapable of effectively combating the ravages that Climate Change afflicts them with. The difficulty in obtaining water for drinking and cooking, declining fish catches and the resultant lower incomes for fishermen, increased health complications among residents and poor agricultural outputs all combine to aggravate the already dire social and economic circumstances of the Faza community.