Dr. Biden's Promises: Promises Made, But Not Kept

In February 2023, First Lady Dr. Jill Biden visited the Maasai communities in Kajiado County, Kenya, to observe the severe impacts of climate change. The region has been facing its most intense drought in over a century, leading to famine affecting over a million people and the tragic loss of more than 100,000 Maasai lives since 2018.

The Impact of Climate Change on the Maasai

The Maasai have experienced devastating effects from the ongoing drought. During her visit, Dr. Biden listened to the harrowing stories of starvation shared by local women. She inquired about their traditional jewelry-making crafts, a vital cultural practice for the community.

Dr. Biden also met with six Maasai pastoralists who reported losing approximately 80% of their cattle—their primary source of wealth and sustenance—since the drought began in 2018. The situation was further exacerbated during the 2020 pandemic when these pastoralists suffered a 90% loss of their goats, critical for their families' food security.

A Suggestion That Missed the Mark

In response to these challenges, Dr. Biden proposed that the Maasai explore new forms of employment. While perhaps well-intentioned, this suggestion was perceived by the community as oversimplified and disconnected from their lived realities.

The Maasai have a literacy rate of only 40%, with their Samburu counterparts at an even lower 28%. Transitioning to new careers in such circumstances is not as straightforward as it might seem, highlighting the need for culturally sensitive and realistic solutions.

A Pattern of Oversimplification

This situation mirrors a previous remark by President Joe Biden. In December 2019, during a campaign event, he suggested that displaced coal miners could transition to computer programming by "learning to code." The comment was widely criticized for its lack of understanding regarding the complexities and challenges of such a career shift.

Both examples reflect a broader issue of oversimplifying solutions for deeply rooted and complex problems without a concrete plan to support the affected communities.

The Way Forward for the Maasai

The challenges faced by the Maasai underscore the profound impact of climate change on vulnerable communities. Addressing these issues requires solutions that are both nuanced and culturally sensitive. These solutions must take into account the unique circumstances, traditions, and needs of the affected populations.

For the Maasai, who have depended on pastoralism for generations, meaningful support must include strategies that respect their cultural heritage while providing practical pathways to sustainability.

The experiences of the Maasai serve as a reminder that well-meaning promises must be followed by actionable and empathetic plans. Without them, the promises made risk becoming promises unkept.