After nearly 65 years of erratic rain patterns – often long dry spells interspersed with periodic light showers – Sengwer region is West Pokot is experiencing torrential rainfall last seen in 1961.

The 1961 downpour was accompanied with bumper food harvest – the last time the arid and semi-arid region in north-western Kenya went without the need for relief food. However, the torrential rains triggered a sharp rise in killer diseases, with malaria topping the list, according to locals.

Dickson Rotich, a Sengwer elder who is also the community’s spokesman, recalled that such a phenomenon is only comparable to 1961 when rains were so heavy that they resulted in bumper harvests.

The Sengwer are culturally cattle herders.

Rotich said that during the 1961blong rains that a whole year with bouts of extreme cold like what was being experienced currently, may people died.

The elder said rain is a natural phenomenon and human beings have little control over it. He asked residents to take advantage of the phenomenon and grow more food.

Rotich said people suffered owing to the scanty dressing at the time, noting that at present people are more prepared due availability of a variety of warm clothing to keep them warm and to avoid the effects of cold weather.

He said the rains are a blessing to the people as they provide the residents with an opportunity to plant a wide range of crops. He challenged to the residents to also take advantage and plant more trees to restore the huge forest cover in Cherangany Hills.

“The Sengwer community is known to live around forested areas, but over the years and due to increased human activity, there has been lots of forest degradation, leaving bare hills and valleys. With these rains people can engage in tree planting activities to give the area its once green scenery,” Rotich said.

He further observed that with the improved agricultural technology, a variety of crops available on the market can be introduced to improve the people’s nutrition unlike when people have been so much accustomed to the popular maize crop that can easily be affected by the prolonged rains.

“Maize farmers are staring at imminent post-harvest losses owing to the delayed harvesting,” says Rotich who is also a maize farmer.

He lauded the government’s pledge to plant 15 billion trees by the year 2032 as directed by President William Ruto saying the move will restore the otherwise degraded ecosystem owing to the ongoing heavy downpours within the county.

He regretted that previous tree planting moves were adversely affected by erratic rains making trees plated survival minimal.

• A Tell Media / KNA report / By Richard Muhambe