By Dan Kaburu
Mombasa, Kenya – In a gathering organized by Power Shift Africa, William Chilufya, a dedicated farmer from Zambia, listens intently as experts from the media, UNFCCC negotiators, farmers, and government officials discuss the urgent issue of climate change. Chilufya has witnessed firsthand the devastating effects of climate change on his livelihood.
“I’ve been farming all my life, learning from my grandfather who used insects, wind patterns, and other environmental clues to predict the weather and decide what to plant,” Chilufya explains.
Currently, over 4 million Zambians are grappling with severe droughts that are worsening each day. Known for its large maize production, Zambia’s crop yields have plummeted due to the ongoing drought. Chilufya has been forced to seek drought-resistant crops.
“Last year, Zambia experienced a heatwave. Thanks to my grandfather’s traditional knowledge and weather forecasts, I planted sorghum alongside maize. While my maize failed, the sorghum thrived, yielding three times more than expected,” Chilufya adds.
Chilufya reports that conditions in Zambia are deteriorating, with the drought continuing to devastate the most vulnerable communities.
Stephen Muchiri, a fruit farmer from Kenya, echoes Chilufya’s concerns. Attending the same media training, Muchiri shares his own struggles:
“I’m from Nyandarua County in Kenya. I’ve lost 18 acres of crops to relentless rain and flooding—10 acres of tree tomatoes and 8 acres of potatoes, beans, and French beans. The rain has been constant for eight months. I’ve never seen anything like it,” says Muchiri.
Muchiri used to harvest 1.5 tons of tree tomatoes monthly, earning over $800 each month. “I haven’t been able to visit my farm recently. It’s heartbreaking to watch my investment disappear,” he laments.
He warns of a potential food crisis in Nyandarua due to the destructive rains that have left farmers with nothing to show for their efforts.
As the world prepares for the upcoming Conference of Parties (COP29), termed the “Finance COP,” Africa is eagerly anticipating tangible outcomes. Historical polluters have made promises to address the climate crisis but have yet to deliver significant results.
“Despite contributing less than 4% of global greenhouse gases, 18% of the world’s population, primarily in Africa, suffers the most from climate impacts,” says Mohamed Adow, Director of Power Shift Africa.
Power Shift Africa advocates fiercely for those most affected by climate change. Africa endures frequent droughts, floods, heatwaves, and failed crops—disasters exacerbated by the climate crisis.
“Climate justice is a right for Africans, not a favor to be begged for,” adds Mohamed Adow.
