After the long drought, good rains expected in Kenya

By Peter Orengo

The Metrological Department is predicting sufficient rainfall in most of the country’s agricultural areas.

Farmers have subsequently been advised farmers to diversify their crop production to maximise on the crop yield after a long period of drought that has threatened many Kenyans with starvation.

According to latest prediction by the weathermen, the rainfall will be well-distributed in most parts of the country but more enhanced in areas like Western, Coast and Nyanza provinces.

There is also good news for pastoralists in drought-stricken areas with rainfall above normal levels expected. "As a result, foliage and pasture conditions in areas of Northern, Northwestern and Northeastern Kenya are expected to improve," said the Director of Meteorological Services Dr Joseph Mukabana.

He advised farming communities to work closely with the Ministry of Agriculture "to make best use of the rains in planting appropriate crops."

Mukabana was speaking on Wednesday at a Press conference in Nairobi.

The metrological department also urged the Environment Ministry to encourage Kenyans to put in place soil conservation measures to minimise environmental degradation due to soil erosion. Tree planting

"The rains are expected to be quite adequate for tree planting in order to increase the already depleted forest cover and allow for the re-generation of forest cover," Mukabana said.

He encouraged municipalities to construct storm drainage systems and open up clogged drainages to avoid floods in the cities and towns.

Already there have been floods in some areas of Turkana and parts of Nyanza, which have led to loss of lives and property. Flooding, land and mudslides are also likely to occur in areas prone to them in Western, lower Tana, Nandi Hills and Central Kenya.

Areas around Garissa, lower Tana, Kano plains and Budalang’i may experience flooding.

However, the Northern and Northeastern parts of the country currently experiencing severe drought conditions are still in need of humanitarian emergency assistance.