By Beryl Atieno from Nyanza region in the western part of Kenya
- This testimonial is part of the campaign on climate and food justice launched by the CSIPM Youth Working Group. Read more testimonials here: https://www.csm4cfs.org/youth-voices-for-climate-justice-and-the-right-to-food/
My name is Beryl Atieno. I come from Nyanza region in the western part of Kenya. People from Nyanza region are mostly known to depend on fishing, However, Agriculture is a vital part of our lives. It has been for the longest time.
Bondo district particularly where I come from depends almost entirely on Agriculture, majorly the cultivation of crops both for subsistence and economic use. These vastly include Maize, Sorghum, Millet, Beans and Cow peas. These are crops that used to do extremely well in the past, but their produce have drastically declined with time due to Climate Change.
Growing up, It was rare to come across cases of malnutrition which have significantly increased since our lands are not producing enough food for our survival leaving us vulnerable as we now have to depend on food bought from the market which are always expensive and not always easily accessible.
Our land are vastly blessed with minerals and natural resources. However destruction of our soils and food insecurity is the price we have had to pay in return for these resources. Our lands have been destroyed by continuous mining activities and soils heavily eroded by ever raging floods as a result of climate change. The lands are left bare due to inconsistent weather patterns as rains no longer come when they are expected to, like they used to. Farmers are no longer able to plan their farming schedules because they cannot depend on the rains to come in time and adequately.
For the sake of our generation and the generations to come, we cannot sit back and watch as the land that we have considered our wealth for the longest time is taken to the drains. We have to rise and raise our voices to ensure that we reclaim our wealth. In order to ensure that our efforts do not go in vain, we are making a simple call to the government and policy makers. Support climate action and policy changes. Support initiatives that promote sustainable practices and reduce emissions such as carbon pricing and renewable energy investments, take up civic education for public on effects of climate change and importance of collective action and create space for the young people in decision making processes in regard to climate change.