Climate witness from the Mara River Basin, Kenya: Mr. Joseph Kones 18 th September 2007 Oslo, Norway

Poverty levels are high in the Mara River Basin

Erratic change of rain patterns Affected planting season and creating scarcity of food. People start to rely on relief food from Government or donors.

Droughts More severe droughts, last year caused pastoralists’ livestock to die in large numbers. Masaais sent their animals to the forest reserves of Mau Forest for greener pastures for the first time. Drying springs and rivers draining into Mara River: Isei River dried for 1 st time since I was born.

Fighting over water resource Communities are fighting over scarce water. People from downstream go upstream with spears and arrows to seek for water they believe upstream people divert.

Floods Heavy rains created floods after the drought. Top soil washed away and heavy erosion occurs as vegetation was gone. Normally forest, wetlands and soils soak up rain water. Now heavy rains create destructive flash floods.

Diseases Malaria is increasing in the area and becoming a leading disease. Temperature change seems to be suitable for breeding of the mosquitoes that carry malaria. Waterborne diseases have increased because people have to use the little stagnant water that is there.

Pollution More erosion reduce water quality. Small towns and human activities pollute the river. Agriculture creates pollution. Less dilution of pollution due to less water.

Masai Mara Mara River is the lifeline of Masai Mara National Reserve (Kenya), Serengeti National Park (Tanzania) and the big Migration. Climate change effects combined with forest destruction threaten Mara River flow. Wildlife in Masai Mara have nowhere to escape and end up dying like last year’s drought. ‘No Mara River – No Masai Mara and Serengeti’, large environmental and economic impacts (tourists, employment)

Responsibility Developed countries are responsible for the majority of the green house gases pollution and should carry a burden equal to this responsibility. Developing countries should invest in emission reduction and carbon sinks. Developing countries should pay for adaptation activities in poor countries.

Conclusion – World War Three The war on global warming and its effects – the climate change – has started and I urge the World Community including Norway and developing agencies to join me as allies in fighting the enemy by participating, contributing by all means whether in kind, technical or through financial assistance to fight the phenomenon and the earth will revert to its original God’s creation.

Thank you for your attention!