Tighten your belt as El Nino rains fail yet again

By Peter Orengo

Food insecurity in parts of Kenya is likely to get worse after poor rains, experts warn.

The rains had been forecast to be El-Nino-enhanced, raising prospects of improved food security, but there was a lengthy dry spell in November.

According to a December update by the USAid-supported Famine Early Warning Systems Network, (FEWS Net), "food insecurity is likely to deteriorate substantially in coming months, compounded by human and livestock disease upsurge, conflict, and higher food prices".

Another humanitarian agency, Oxfam GB, has warned of food security problems among pastoral households, already faced with heightened conflict and a cholera epidemic.

In their latest report, Oxfam GB said: "Large parts of Turkana, Somalia, and parts of Ethiopia have received less than five per cent of normal rainfall in November."

In Turkana, Oxfam GB says there has been just 12mm of rain in the last three months.

Last hope

"The rains were many people’s last hope, but they have failed again. While some parts of the region have had some rain in October, others have not received a drop," said Oxfam GB Deputy Humanitarian Director Jeremy Loveless, after visiting affected areas.

This is the sixth successive season of poor rains in the horn of Africa, which is experiencing its worst drought in 20 years. The next rains are not due until April.

Mr Loveless said: "Millions of people in these areas are of particular concern as they face at least another six months of hunger and destitution."

A cholera outbreak has been reported in Kakuma Refugee Camp, while Kenya has reported more than 120 deaths in the past one month.

More than 1.5 million animals have died in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda, with an estimated net worth to the region of nearly Sh26 billion.

In parts of North-western Kenya, the rains have stopped completely in the past month.

Nationwide, over 500,000 animals are estimated to have died during the drought, at a cost of over Sh19.6 billion to the economy.

Many people are now migrating to urban areas in search of work and food.