Kenya needs Sh27bn for food aid

Kenya still needs help to feed its starving millions for the next four months, a new report suggests. The government, through the Kenya Food Security Steering Group report, says about 390,000 metric tonnes of food will be needed to feed 3.8 million starving Kenyans till February next year.

This is expected to cost the government and donor organisations at least Sh26.5 billion. The report, which was prepared before the onset of the current short rains, paints a grim picture of the food security situation in the country.

Nearly all parts of the country, with the exception of Lamu and a few other areas in the coastal strip, have been classified as food insecure. The improved situation reported in Lamu District was as a result of the expected 23 per cent above normal maize harvest, says the report.

Areas classified as being at high risk of falling into a humanitarian emergency include Marsabit, Isiolo, Mandera, Wajir, most parts of Tana River, Baringo, Laikipia, Turkana, Samburu and northern parts of Garissa. Other districts are Mwingi, Kitui, Makueni, Mbeere, Tharaka, as well as parts of Machakos, Kilifi and Kwale.

Areas that are at high risk of sliding into an acute food crisis include Kajiado, Narok, Ijara, west of Malindi, parts of Garissa, Baringo, Samburu, Laikipia, Moyale and West Pokot. The food situation in these areas was said to have deteriorated, making it impossible for the ‘vulnerable populations’ to access the minimum food required.

“The country has experienced another season of failed rains, leading to continued food insecurity,” reads the report. “The situation has further been aggravated by compounding factors, including high food prices, increasing conflicts, livestock diseases, low purchasing power, and high malnutrition,” it says.

It goes on: “And the situation is not expected to improve until February 2010 contingent on favourable short rains and implementation of other measures.” Agricultural experts are, however, optimistic that the current rains were likely to boost the country’s food production.

The report comes hot on the heels of a similar one by the UN Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs (Ocha). An estimated 750,000 Kenyans were likely to be affected by floods and mudslides if the current rains persisted, the Ocha report said.