Unexpectedly normal to above normal long rains fell in the eastern parts of the country

Key Messages

The 2013 March to May long rains have been normal to above normal over much of the country except in a few localized places in the Southeast. While allowing planting and improvement in grazing conditions, the rains have resulted in flooding, household displacement, and loss of livelihoods. Floods have destroyed road infrastructure.

President Uhuru Kenyatta at State House Nairobi last evening met and held talks with President Hassan Sheikh Mahmoud of Somalia who paid him a courtesy call.

During the meeting also attended by Deputy President William Ruto, President Uhuru assured the Somali President that Kenya will continue to work with his country’s leadership to consolidate peace and security in the country.

1.0 Introduction

The 2012 long and short rain seasons showed mixed results with the “long rains” season recording fewer rainy days compared to the “short rain” season. Moreover, the long rains was more erratic with some regions experiencing very high rains leading to flush floods while other parts of the country such as lower parts of Eastern and the Coastal strip experiencing very little rains. In general, however, the 2012 rains were better in terms of temporal and spatial distribution compared 2011.

1. HIGHLIGHTS

• Depressed and poorly distributed rainfall is expected over most parts of the country during March-May 2013 “Long-Rains” Season. This is likely to be more pronounced in the Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASALs).

• The western and central counties including Nairobi as well as the Coastal strip are likely to experience enhanced rainfall.

• Most of the rainfall in the country is expected during the peak month of April except over the Coastal strip where the peak is expected during the month of May.

1 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

An integrated nutrition, food security and retrospective mortality survey was undertaken by the Ministry of Health and ACF during the rainy season (May 2012) in West Pokot County. The overall survey objective was to determine the rates of acute malnutrition amongst children aged 6-59 months and the population’s mortality rates1 in West Pokot County.

This National Contingency plan (CP) for general election scheduled for 4th March 2013 is part of preparedness for any eventuality emanating from election process. This Contingency Plan provides guidance to the overall operations during the electioneering and allows for the immediate response to various situations likely to arise. It identifies flexible options adaptable to specific situations. Kenya has experienced violence in the previous elections but the Post Election Violence (PEV) witnessed in 2007/2008 had its own lessons.

Poor performance of the short rains in parts of the Southeast is likely to intensify food insecurity

Key Messages

Nairobi, November 19, 2012

President Mwai Kibaki today launched the nationwide, one month biometric voter registration (BVR) exercise targeting over 18 million voters.

Speaking during the launch at Kenyatta International Conference Centre, President Kibaki advised Kenyans to take this process seriously and keep away from anyone who may seek to disrupt the process.

Food and nutrition security expected to improve through March 2013

KEY MESSAGES

• The population in need of humanitarian assistance declined from 2.2 million in February 2012 to 2.1 million in September 2012. The decline was higher in pastoral areas than in marginal agricultural livelihood zones. The majority of the food insecure households are Stressed (IPC Phase 2) while about 10 percent of the food insecure population is categorized as in Crisis (IPC Phase 3).