by Francis Ngige

Nearly 3.8 million people are affected by hunger despite the onset of the heavy rains, a survey indicates.

A report on food security says majority of people who face starvation are in the pastoralist and marginal agricultural areas.

The report by Famine Early Warning Systems Network (Fewsnet) said in semi-arid areas, livestock deaths continue to rise as migration options become limited.

Victims of hunger in Turkana

The food monitoring agency further said widespread crop failure witnessed during the dry spell, low livestock productivity and high food prices had made it difficult for most households to be food secure.

The report, however, is optimistic that food security in some areas would improve between this month and December as a result of the ongoing rains.

"With the arrival of the short rains, increased availability of milk and short-cycle crops should begin to moderate the heightened cases of food insecurity," the report reads in part.

But the improvement in food production is likely to be felt between January and March next year, if the rains are not erratic, the Fewsnet report says.

"Assuming that the short rains will be normal to above normal, as expected due to the impact of El NiÒo, livestock productivity should markedly improve," the survey indicates.