Desert and semi-desert climate type of climate is mainly found in the sub-tropical belt.
These areas include Karamoja, Turkana land, and Chalbi desert in Northern Kenya
Problems faced by people living in desert regions
- Inadequate/limited supply of surface water for livestock and human consumption.
- Shortage of pasture for livestock rearing leading to nomadism.
- Infertile soils which dont support crop growing.
- Low and unreliable rainfall which limits growth of crops and vegetation.
- Excessively high temperatures during the day making settlements difficult.
- Very cold nights due to absence of cloud cover.
- Desert areas are remote due to absence of road network.
- Limited supply of food leading to frequent famine.
- Sandstorms due to strong winds are common leading to loss of lives and poor visibility.
- Small population makes it difficult to provide social services.
- Temporary flooding due to torrential downpours.
- Overcrowding near oases, rivers and water points.
- Shortage of labour and market due to small and sparse population.
Solutions to the above problems
- Construction of valley dams to help store water for pastoralists.
- Irrigation farming to improve food production and reduce famine.
- Planting of trees to help in climate modification through rainfall formation.
- Use of machines especially where labour is not enough.
- Educating pastoralists about the dangers of bush burning.
- Extending social services to attract big population and encourage people to settle down.
- Resettlement of people away from congested areas e.g. oases and river valleys.
- Encouraging tourism to acquire revenue for development of social services.
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