Kisumu:Kisumu County is developing a comprehensive five-year Heat and Cooling Action Plan to address the increasing threat of rising temperatures. This initiative aims to protect vulnerable populations and safeguard livelihoods in the Lake Victoria region, where extreme heat is impacting public health and economic activities.
According to Kenya News Agency, the Kisumu County Heat and Cooling Action Plan (2027-2032), led by Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o’s administration, proposes practical strategies to help communities adapt to prolonged heat. These measures aim to mitigate the effects on workers, farmers, fisherfolk, and urban residents.
The county’s efforts are a response to mounting concerns about rising temperatures, with Kisumu’s monthly averages reportedly exceeding the late-1970s baseline by over 2°C in recent decades. Experts warn that extreme heat poses significant risks to pregnant women, young children, older adults, people with disabilities, and outdoor workers.
Kisumu’s location in the Lake Victoria basin, with average relative humidity around 70%, exacerbates the problem. The moisture in the air makes it difficult for sweat to evaporate, hindering the body’s cooling process. Researchers have identified a local heatwave threshold where daily maximum temperatures exceed 37°C for more than three consecutive days, increasing the risk of heat-related illnesses.
The World Health Organisation highlights extreme heat as one of the deadliest weather hazards globally, impacting human health, ecosystems, infrastructure, and livelihoods. The World Meteorological Organisation has also noted the economic impacts of heat stress, particularly through lost labor productivity. Informal-sector workers, including boda-boda riders and market vendors, are especially vulnerable.
Governor Nyong’o emphasized that rising temperatures threaten productivity, health, and incomes among smallholder farmers, lakeside fishers, and urban traders. The plan underscores the need for coordinated county-level interventions.
Public participation forums held from October 14 to 16 in various sub-counties, including Muhoroni and Nyakach, gathered stakeholders to discuss the plan. Participants included county officials, representatives from the Kenya Meteorological Services Authority, Sustainable Energy for All, and local communities.
Felix Odhiambo, Senior Energy Planner and Chief Heat Officer, noted challenges faced by residents of informal settlements, where homes are often poorly designed to withstand high temperatures. He highlighted the prevalence of corrugated iron-sheet roofing, which traps heat.
The plan proposes improvements such as cool-roofing technologies, insulation, and neighborhood greening to reduce heat retention. It also calls for enforcing building regulations that promote suitable materials and designs to improve ventilation.
A key proposal is establishing 35 ward-level cooling stations to provide relief during extreme heat. The plan also aims to reduce post-harvest losses in agriculture and fisheries by setting up solar-powered cold storage hubs at local markets and fish landing sites.
Odhiambo suggested using phase-change materials for thermal storage, allowing facilities to maintain cooling capacity without heavy reliance on battery systems. The county plans to form a permanent Kisumu County Heat and Cooling Action Committee to coordinate responses and link meteorological data with health surveillance.
The International Labour Organisation warns that prolonged exposure to excessive heat can cause acute injuries and long-term conditions like chronic kidney disease. The proposed interventions are intended to protect workers, strengthen food security, and enhance community resilience against challenging climatic conditions.
The county government will use the framework to guide investments and coordinate actions across departments and communities as it works towards adopting the plan.
