Kenyans forced to relocate due to drought are far more likely to experience violence than are Kenyans generally, researchers reported on Monday.
A study carried out by the University of Utah and the University of Nairobi found that violence affected a "staggering" 43 per cent of survey respondents who reported being displaced because of drought.
Academics have predicted that violent conflicts may become more frequent as climate change creates environmental stresses leading to large-scale population movements.
And that may in turn require policy responses on the part of Kenyan authorities, the study’s lead author suggests.
About 15 per cent of 1,400 Kenyans surveyed said they had been forced to move because of drought.
"There are a lot of respondents who report these experiences," Prof Linke said.
"It’s not a fringe one or two percent of the population.
We’re talking about much larger shares of the population that we don’t always understand in the States, sitting here behind our desks."
"That’s a fair response."
"Understanding the problem is always the first step in finding a solution."