Extreme Heat Halts Daily Life Across Northern Kenya

Midday life in Kenya’s northern counties is coming to a standstill as extreme heat forces businesses to close, streets to empty, and outdoor work to pause for hours each day.

In towns such as Marsabit, Turkana, and Garissa, temperatures regularly climb above 35°C, making outdoor activity dangerous by late morning. Farmers, labourers, and street vendors are adjusting their routines, often limiting work to early mornings and late afternoons. 

“After 11am we can’t be outside,” said Halima, a farmer near Lodwar. “The sun burns, you get dizzy, your throat dries up. We wait until 4pm, then return to the fields before dark.”

This shift has led to a sharp drop in working hours. Many people now work only two to three hours each day, especially those in agriculture and other outdoor sectors. For casual labourers who are paid per task or day, this translates directly into lost income.

According to a joint report by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the World Health Organization (WHO), heat stress is becoming a significant occupational risk. The health impacts range from dehydration and heatstroke to long-term kidney damage and neurological strain. 

The economic effects, while less visible, are substantial, particularly in low-income and climate, vulnerable areas. Nearly 90% of Kenya’s landmass falls within arid and semi-arid zones. These regions are now facing prolonged heat that undermines productivity in sectors that depend heavily on manual labour. 

Scientific assessments show that for every degree rise above 20°C in Wet-Bulb Globe Temperature, a measure that combines heat and humidity, worker productivity can decline by 2–3%. The International Labour Organization (ILO) estimates that by 2030, heat stress could lead to the loss of more than 2% of global working hours, the equivalent of 80 million full-time jobs. 

Kenya’s informal economy, dominated by agriculture and construction, is especially exposed to this risk. The broader economic impact is already evident. Between 2010 and 2020, climate-related disruptions, including extreme heat, drought, and flooding, cost Kenya an estimated 3–5% of its GDP annually. 

Without effective adaptation strategies, the World Bank warns this figure could rise to 7.25% by 2050. The consequences extend beyond lost wages. Families are being forced to cut food spending, withdraw children from school, and take on higher healthcare costs. Women, who make up a large portion of the agricultural workforce, are particularly affected. 

Alongside reduced income, they often take on additional care duties when family members suffer heat-related illnesses. Despite the growing risks, access to heat protection remains limited. Most workplaces lack cooling systems, shaded rest areas, or formal rules to manage heat exposure. Rural communities often face shortages in basic healthcare, making it harder to treat conditions caused by prolonged heat.

The WMO and WHO stress the need for coordinated action from governments, health authorities, employers, and worker organisations. Recommendations include implementing rest breaks, improving hydration access, and developing early warning systems for extreme heat.

The WMO has confirmed that 2024 was the hottest year ever recorded, with global average temperatures reaching 1.45°C above pre-industrial levels.