Kenya faces maize harvest shortfall

Kenya is facing growing concerns over food shortages after a prolonged dry spell severely affected crops in the country's North Rift grain basket, particularly in Trans Nzoia and Uasin Gishu counties.

The North Rift is one of Kenya's major maize-producing regions, but inadequate rainfall during the March-to-May long rains season — the main wet period across most parts of the country — left crops severely stressed, with extensive crop losses reported in some fields.

The concerns come amid forecasts of a strengthening El Nino weather event later this year, which could further disrupt agricultural production. Recent international forecasts indicate that the developing 2026-27 El Nino could become exceptionally strong.

Jonathan Bii, governor of Uasin Gishu County, said the county could record a 60 percent drop in food production, particularly maize, due to the inadequate rains.

In Trans Nzoia, county officials said about 20,000 hectares of maize were destroyed by hot, dry weather, representing 20 percent of the county's total maize production.

Meanwhile, the national government has moved to secure additional maize supplies. Mutahi Kagwe, cabinet secretary for agriculture and livestock development, said last week that the government had made arrangements to facilitate the import of up to 25 million 90-kilogram bags of maize to bridge the anticipated supply deficit.

Deputy President Kithure Kindiki issued similar assurances on Monday, saying the government had put measures in place to cushion the country against hunger and famine, as well as the potential impacts of the projected El Nino-related rains.

"The ministry of agriculture is engaged and the National Treasury has been very supportive," he said. "We need to put everything in place to make sure that our country does not struggle."

Intensify preparations

Kindiki urged the national and county governments to intensify preparations for the anticipated October-to-December rains amid forecasts of a possible El Nino event.

Kindiki said the two levels of government were coordinating efforts to prepare for possible flooding and other rain-related emergencies.

"We are prepared in pre-positioning food and nonfood relief supplies at the nearest points possible in the counties before the rains start," he said.

Against the backdrop of increasingly unpredictable weather patterns, the government has also called for greater investment in irrigation to reduce the country's dependence on rain-fed agriculture.

One of the government's major food security projects is the Galana-Kulalu Food Security Project in Kilifi and Tana River counties. The project covers about 700,000 hectares in the Galana-Kulalu area, with the National Irrigation Authority playing a central role in its development.

The government is also advancing the Athi-Galana Dam project, which China Communications Construction Company is constructing. The dam is intended to provide irrigation water in the Galana-Kulalu area, strengthen agricultural production and enhance food security.

edithmutethya@chinadaily.com.cn