Mwatate Area Program

The Mwatate community is in Kenya's coastal province. The area borders a wildlife reserve and West Tsavo National Park, home to many wild animals, including black rhinos, cape buffalo, elephants, leopards, and lions.

There are two rainy seasons, and the rest of the year is dry with frequent droughts. The long rains are from April to June, and short rains are from October to November. However, climate change is taking a toll on the country. Seasons have become unpredictable, making it difficult to time the planting of crops. In recent years, the rains have started late and stopped early, with some areas getting no rainfall at all. Another new phenomenon is temperature extremes, with the weather becoming too hot or too cold unpredictably.

Most families here are farmers, depending on rain-fed agriculture for their livelihoods. The majority of families are also poor. Climate change has affected crop production, leaving families without enough food and dependent on relief assistance. Only 35% of the population lives above the poverty line, working as labourers on sisal estates or in mines.