Victor Apollo, Head of Solutions Mapping, Accelerator Lab — UNDP Kenya

COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the loss of livelihoods and led to an increased rate of unemployment among Kenyan Youth. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, young people aged 20 to 24 years were more adversely affected in the labor market in comparison to other age cohorts. In December 2019, the youth unemployment rate was 14.2%, a percentage double that of the general populations unemployment at 4.9%[1]. Restrictions related to COVID-19 such as business closures, social distancing, and stay-at-home regulations have affected the population, with youth experiencing the hardest blow. …

Mandera, the capital of Mandera County, is at the very edge of Kenya’s Northern Frontier. Touching the borders of both Ethiopia and Somalia, a heavy security presence reflects the prevalence of conflict in the immediate area — particularly involving fundamentalist militant groups. Speaking to locals around town, the majority of whom are ethnic Somalis, there’s a feeling that the instability, curfews and restrictions on movement that come with this have dimmed the voice of inclusivity and public participation.

In these circumstances, when it comes to marginalised groups such as women and children, basic needs are not always met: Mandera County…

When it comes to human development, climate change remains a defining issue of our time: its impacts are not only slowing down growth of economies but exposing already fragile ecosystems and vulnerable communities to even more risks. Reduction of the rate of increase, and scale of changes, in greenhouse gases (GHG) — also known as mitigation — is an option both developing and developed countries are pursuing as part of the global efforts to fight climate change.

Kenya’s Climate Change Action Plan 2018–2022 has prioritized enhancement of energy efficiency as one of the priority actions to mitigate climate change in…

Moyale is as bustling and lively as you’d expect a border town to be: split across both Kenya and Ethiopia, there are clear influences on either side of the town from each country, from the foliage to the food and the language to the locals. The northernmost point of Marsabit County has recently seen a boon in fortunes following the completion of the Isiolo-Moyale Highway in 2017 and strengthened Kenya-Ethiopia integration: what was once a troubled frontier town is becoming a focal point in the rising tide of East African trade.

Outside of the town itself, Moyale and North Horr…

Of Kenya’s counties, Taita Taveta is among the most picturesque — and biodiverse. The bustling markets of Taveta on the Kenya-Tanzanian border stand in contrast to the flat sisal plains of Voi and lush, green forests of hilly Wundanyi, whilst Tsavo West and Tsavo East national parks are home to the world famous red Elephants — the only ones in the world. Some 150km from the coast, the County is also well connected to the Nairobi-Mombasa corridor by both rail and road; unsurprisingly, its population is one of Kenya’s fastest growing.[1] …

Nestled in Kenya’s North-West corner and bordering Uganda, South Sudan and Ethiopia, Turkana is a land of geographic extremes. Kenya’s largest County is not only one of its hottest, but also one of its most arid: daytime temperatures in the capital Lodwar hover around 35⁰C, with virtually no rainfall for the majority of the year.[1]The dry heat is intense, and during the day locals in towns and rural areas alike clamour for shade to escape it.

Although home to the expansive Lake Turkana, the County suffers an acute lack of fresh water and as a result of its harsh climate…

Having supported intelligent life for more than 3 million years, Turkana’s reputation as the ‘Cradle of Mankind’ makes it a truly unique place, with its rich history a source of both local and national pride.[1]The living conditions today, however, are challenging: increasingly prone to drought due to the effects of global warming, the climate in the County is amongst the harshest in Kenya, and the poverty rate is amongst the highest.[2]

Outside of the County’s capital Lodwar town, Turkana is comprised of sparsely-populated arid plains sitting between the mountainous border areas of the West and the expansive Lake Turkana to…

As one travels across Marsabit County, the most apparent characteristic of Kenya’s second largest county is the sparse population and the emptiness of its vast, arid lands. Coupled with a history of inter-community conflicts and a myriad of challenges such as harsh and unpredictable weather patterns, high levels of poverty, lack of access to health services, food insecurity among others, Marsabit presents a distinct development challenge to the communities living in the area, the National and County Government planners; and, other stakeholders.