Disasters and climate change are no longer new phenomena, but their impacts continue to arrive in increasingly unpredictable ways and seasons. Communities in Kenya are facing a barrage of shocks including prolonged droughts, flash floods, erratic rainfall, severe heat waves, and disease outbreaks all of which disrupt daily lives and threaten local food security.
In Saku Constituency, Marsabit County, however, a resilient narrative is emerging. Local farmers are witnessing tangible results by leveraging early weather information and adopting specialized training in livestock and crop management. Conversely, the risks remain high for residents who choose to ignore or fail to act on these critical early warning signs.
As climate change continues to alter weather patterns across Kenya, fears of declining food production have grown in regions that have historically relied on predictable seasonal rains. Yet, for several proactive farmers in Saku, this season has told a remarkably different story. In the villages of Sagante-Jaldesa and Dakabaricha, many are reporting hopeful harvests following the March, April, and May (MAM) long rains season, which arrived much earlier than expected.
While the early onset of the rains presented distinct challenges for certain crops, it also created a golden opportunity for high yields in others, particularly maize. Most local smallholders cultivate a mix of maize, beans, teff, and fodder grass. They note that the sustained rainfall supported robust crop development, fueling expectations for a significantly better harvest this season.
To witness this transformation first-hand, we visited Dakabaricha village, a locality long recognized as a vital food production hub in the Saku area. It was midday when we met John Waqo, a 32-year-old farmer, who welcomed us warmly into his home. He explained that despite the erratic nature of the season, proactive adaptation saved his investments.
“The long rains usually begin in March, but this year they started on February 25th well ahead of the initial forecasts from the Kenya Meteorological Department and the projections of traditional weather observers,” Waqo explained. “Because of this unexpected shift, I closely followed regular updates and expert advice on the radio, which helped me quickly adjust my planting schedule.”
Although the early rains caught him before he had completely finished land preparation, Waqo acted swiftly, planting maize on a one-acre plot to maximize the sudden soil moisture. However, the unpredictability of the weather cut both ways. On a separate two-acre section of his farm, he had already planted beans. The sudden, heavy downpours severely battered the bean crop, resulting in poor yields compared to previous seasons. Beans require moderate moisture; excess rainfall causes the plants to stagnate and rot.
Elizabeth Isaiah, another local farmer, echoed Waqo’s experiences, noting that the premature rains caught many bean farmers off guard. “Many farmers were expecting the rains to start in early March based on pre-season forecasts, so they were entirely unprepared for the sudden shift. The heavy rains caused the bean plants to waterlog and stagnate, severely reducing our yields,” Elizabeth added.
What triggered this sudden shift in the seasonal timeline? John Nguyo, the Marsabit County Director of the Meteorological Department, explained that this volatility is a direct consequence of climate change, which continues to alter traditional rainfall patterns across many parts of Kenya.
Despite the setback with his beans, Waqo an avid listener of the Agriculture and Livestock program on Sifa FM is still expecting an excellent maize harvest from his one-acre plot because he monitored the weather and adapted dynamically. He noted that the moisture levels were perfect for maize, and neighbors who planted promptly are also expecting satisfactory yields.
In nearby Sagante-Jaldesa village, Mzee Shibia Guyo Shibia, a dedicated fodder farmer, celebrated an exceptionally successful season brought on by the heavy rains. He has already harvested 60 bales of grass and expects to yield more than 200 bales from his two-acre plot. Mzee Shibia urged his peers to diversify their agricultural ventures rather than relying solely on traditional staples. “Fodder farming has become an incredibly reliable and lucrative source of income, especially in livestock-heavy regions like ours,” he narrated.
In contrast, Elizabeth Isaiah lamented that her season was largely unsatisfactory, attributing her poor yields directly to delayed planting.
Addressing these mixed outcomes, Saku Constituency Agriculture Officer Dub Nura stressed that early land preparation is non-negotiable if farmers are to survive climate-induced disruptions.
“I strongly urge farmers to closely monitor weather forecasts so they can make informed farming decisions, even when climate change causes forecasts to shift unexpectedly,” Nura stated.
Nura also emphasized the critical importance of crop rotation to maintain soil fertility, break pest cycles, and boost overall production. This advice was championed by John Waqo, who attributed his maize success to this very practice: he had intelligently planted his thriving maize in a section where he had grown nitrogen-fixing beans the previous season.
Ultimately, the contrasting experiences of Saku’s farmers demonstrate that while climate change poses an undeniable threat, it is not an insurmountable barrier. Smallholders who proactively adapt to seasonal shifts, adhere to expert meteorological advice, and implement smart agronomic practices have a powerful fighting chance to boost crop yields and secure food sustainability for their communities.
