Drought events associated with climate variability and climate change have become more pronounced in Kenya in recent years, particularly affecting its agricultural production—the main livelihood activity of most Kenyans. By working with a small community in a mixed farming area of Makueni District, the Kenya pilot project is helping to demonstrate actions that reduce vulnerability of farming communities to current climate variability and long-term climate change. The pilot project aims to increase household food security, reduce poverty through improved livelihoods and facilitate the integration of adaptation to climate change into policies related to disaster management and the sustainable development of arid and semi-arid lands.

Activities at the community level being undertaken include: down-scaling of climate forecasts and communicating them to farmers in a way that has relevance to their needs; diversifying production systems by promoting drought escaping crops and enhancing community capacity in seed bulking; strengthening the credit system for self-help groups to allow generation of new income activities; and improving access to water through the construction of sand dams and the introduction of drip irrigation. Lessons learned through these activities are being integrated into the regional activities of the Arid Lands Resource Management Project. They will also be used to influence the on going development of Kenya's National Disaster Management Policy as well as relevant agriculture, livestock and environmental management policies.

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