In Garissa, Kenya, extreme heat has become a persistent challenge for local vendors like Hawa Hussein Farah. She describes how the soaring temperatures, particularly during the hottest months from January to March, lead to a significant drop in customer footfall at outdoor markets. With the heat rising early in the day, sellers are often forced to close their stalls for hours, harming their income and ability to provide for their families.

The implications of these rising temperatures extend beyond mere discomfort; they threaten economic stability for many in the region where decent work opportunities are already scarce. As temperatures soar, individuals reliant on open-air markets face the daunting choice of enduring the sweltering heat or risking financial loss by shutting down their businesses. This situation raises broader concerns about climate change and its effects on vulnerable populations, particularly in arid regions like Northeastern Kenya.

In a country where many families depend on subsistence work, the inability to effectively trade during peak heat reinforces systemic challenges associated with poverty and underemployment. As workers face these increasing environmental pressures, the need for supportive measures and long-term solutions becomes evident to secure decent work opportunities in the face of climate adversity.