This archive report was first published on 3 September 2019.
As the country stares at the specter of a food crisis, the National Drought Management Authority paints a dire picture. The number of Kenyans facing starvation has risen to 2.6 million, up from 1.6 million in February, highlighting the devastating impact of the worsening drought on various parts of the country throughout the year.
Published on September 3, 2019, the latest information underscores the urgent need for pre-emptive and quick actions to avert a looming humanitarian crisis. The government, international humanitarian agencies, and the civil society must act swiftly to address the situation.
Although rains have begun in some regions, the impact of drought remains profound, with the dry spell in many parts of the country for most months this year severely affecting food security. Planting started late due to delayed rains, and when it came, the quantities were pathetically low, leading to a decline in produce with disastrous effects on the population.
While most of the worst-affected areas are within the arid and semi-arid zones, including Turkana, Mandera, Wajir, Baringo, and Marsabit, potentially productive areas are equally scorched. The predictability of drought and food crisis is a concern, with the country frequently pushed to the precipice by food insufficiency resulting from inappropriate policies, poor planning, and faulty agricultural and marketing practices.
At the family level, declining farm productivity due to lack of cash, land scarcity, and a weak land tenure system is a major issue. However, matters are getting worse at the government level, where agricultural productivity has taken a nosedive. Crop production has fallen substantially due to poor agricultural practices, and recent efforts by the government to beef up food security have come to naught.
The government has prioritized irrigation to move away from traditional rain-fed farming. However, not much has come out of it due to corruption, pilferage, and mismanagement. The Galana-Kulalu irrigation project, intended to raise food production, generate water for human and wildlife consumption, and spur economic growth, has been marred by corruption and mismanagement.
For now, the government must address the ravaging food shortage through rations to the affected populations while working on a long-term strategy to end the vicious cycle of scarcity.
