Heed warning on poor rains and plan ahead

The much awaited long rains period may not occur, after all, according to weather forecasts. The meteorological department recently gave a plausible reason; that events in the Indian Ocean, and which resulted in cyclone Idai that caused devastation in Zimbabwe and Mozambique, resulted in low atmospheric pressure that could not drive rain clouds north towards Kenya.

Ultimately, that is glum news to most Kenyans who depend on agriculture for a livelihood. It also means sections of Kenyans bearing the brunt of drought will have to suffer much longer despite Deputy President William Ruto having assured Kenyans there are adequate food stocks, the only challenge being logistics. However, this explanation should be taken with a pinch of salt, for poor logistics is not a good enough reason for government to let its people starve to death.