INDIGENOUS RAINMAKING PRACTICES AND THEIR IMPLICATIONS ON CLIMATE CHANGE IN WESTERN KENYA

Abstract

This study investigated the Indigenous rainmaking practices & implication on Climate Change in Western Kenya. The study particularly focused on the Nganyi clan of Bunyore which is a sub-ethnic group of the Abaluhya community living in Vihiga County. The study found out that climate in Western Kenya has changed drastically as a result of atmospheric changes.This change has affected the rainy seasons.. The specific objectives of the study were to: (a) investigate the prevalence, evidence, seriousness, and effects of climate change in Western Kenya;(b) analyse the local community’s response to the effects of climate change in Western Kenya; (c) identify and document indigenous rainmaking practices which can be used for climate change mitigation and adaptation in Western Kenya; (d) describe how the traditional rainmaking practices can be used to confront the consequences of climate change; and(e) explore strategies which can be used to mainstream traditional rainmaking in building climate change resilience in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Vision 2030 and the “Big 4” Agenda in Kenya. The research approach was qualitative. Primary data was collected through interviews using interview guides with open-ended questions. The population of the study were traditional rainmakers in Western Kenya and weather forecast experts from the Kenya Meteorological Department. Secondary data was collected through documentary analysis of relevant literature. Data was analysed qualitatively and used a case study design. The local community has responded to climate change by planting drought resistant crops that can withstand the changes, and planting trees to attract rainfall. Traditional rainmaking practices such as making of rain, prevention of rain from falling, and prediction of rain can be used to enhance the community’s capacity to adapt to and/or mitigate climate change effectively. Related knowledge of how to arrest lightning, thunderstorm and hailstorm can also be used to confront the consequences of climate change such as drought, , and overgrazing. Through traditional rainmaking, the community under study has been able to mitigate and adapt to the changes in climate to some extent. It is evident from the study that traditional rainmaking can contribute to food security, improved manufacturing through the provision of raw materials, healthy livelihood, social security, increased employment through sustainable agriculture, as well as safeguarding houses from thunder and floods. For this to happen, there is a need to mainstream traditional rainmaking in the national response to climate change through documenting, popularising and validating the practice