The vanishing snow of Mount Kenya

Alternative route

He adds that glaciers help to hold the rocks together and when they are gone, an alternative route has to be found to avoid the danger of slipping down.

In this case, a climber has to follow a longer route.

Other effects of global warming are invasion of some weeds in recent years due to rising temperatures.

To those living at the foot of Mt Kenya, they may not comprehend what global warming and climate change is all about.

But in recent years, they have been unable to do irrigation using water from the rivers since it is no longer adequate.

“The Government no longer allows us to draw water from River Tigithi to irrigate our land,” laments Mr Patrick Muthee from Matanya village about 15 kilometres from Naromoru town.

Previously, Mr Muthee said he used to irrigate his five acres of land with water from the river and nobody was concerned.

“I remember in 1990s, I could harvest up to 60 bags of potatoes through irrigation farming.

But today, I only harvest about 20 bags since I have to depend on rain,” says the father of three.

The Water Resources Management Authority has outlawed irrigation .