Review of current and planned adaptation action in Kenya

The document provides a comprehensive review of Kenya's climate adaptation landscape, highlighting the high vulnerability of its arid and semi-arid lands (ASALs) and the dependence of its economy on rain-fed agriculture. It details the national policy framework, including the National Climate Change Response Strategy and Action Plan, and evaluates the role of the 2010 constitution in devolving adaptation responsibilities to 47 counties. The report identifies a strong focus on agriculture and livestock in international adaptation projects but notes significant gaps in addressing the needs of the tourism sector, coastal zones, and urban areas.

• Kenya's vulnerability to climate change is driven by high levels of multi-dimensional poverty, a heavy reliance on rain-fed agriculture, and significant water scarcity, particularly in the arid and semi-arid lands (ASALs).
• Climate projections for Kenya indicate a continuing warming trend, with mean annual temperatures potentially increasing by 1°C by the 2020s and up to 4°C by 2100, although precipitation projections remain highly uncertain.
• The agriculture sector is highly vulnerable due to its dependence on rainfall, with only 1.7% of agricultural lands being irrigated, making food security sensitive to changes in rainfall patterns.
• Kenya has established a comprehensive policy framework for climate response, including the National Climate Change Response Strategy (2010), the National Climate Change Action Plan (2013), and the Climate Change Bill, 2014.
• The 2010 constitution decentralized decision-making authority to 47 counties, creating an opportunity to tailor adaptation measures to local contexts through County Integrated Development Plans (CIDPs).
• International adaptation funding is heavily skewed toward the agricultural and livestock sectors, with 41% of identified projects focusing on agriculture and 15% on pastoralism/livestock.
• There are notable gaps in adaptation efforts for critical economic sectors and regions, specifically a lack of focus on tourism, coastal infrastructure resilience, and urban area vulnerabilities.
• Climate finance in Kenya is dominated by international sources, with a higher proportion of funding directed toward mitigation than adaptation, particularly in the energy sector.

APA

Parry, J.-E. (2016). Review of current and planned adaptation action in Kenya. International Institute for Sustainable Development. https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/idl-55875-kenya.pdf

Chicago

Parry, Jo-Ellen. Review of current and planned adaptation action in Kenya. International Institute for Sustainable Development, 2016. https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/idl-55875-kenya.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Parry |first1=Jo-Ellen |title=Review of current and planned adaptation action in Kenya |publisher=International Institute for Sustainable Development |date=2016 |url=https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/idl-55875-kenya.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{parry2016review, author = {Parry, Jo-Ellen}, title = {{Review of current and planned adaptation action in Kenya}}, institution = {International Institute for Sustainable Development}, year = {2016}, url = {https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/idl-55875-kenya.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }