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Kenya

Lamu County: Drought Early Warning Bulletin for February 2015

Attachments

Drought Situation & EW Phase Classification

Biophysical Indicators

The percentage average rainfall to that of the long term average for the month of February was 0% which was below the normal range. No rainfall was received in the month of February compared to the Long term average of 1.33 mm for the month of February.

  • The 3 month VCI for the County was 46.18. This was within the normal range. For Lamu East Sub County which comprises of Fisheries and Mixed Farming Food/Cash livelihood Zone, VCI was 37.58 while in Lamu West Sub County which comprises of Mixed Cash/Food and Pastoral Livelihood Zone, it was 52.18.

State of water sources was classified at 4 for the month of February indicating that the water state was below normal and the condition was declining. The main sources of water for the month of February were: Shallow wells accounting for 33.3%, followed by boreholes at 25%, Traditional River wells were third at 16.7% while Natural Rivers, Djabias and N.Ponds accounted for 8.3% each.

Socio Economic Indicators (Impact Indicators)

  • There were no reported cases of livestock in or out migration in the County.

  • The general body condition for cattle were at borderline and it was rated at score 4. This was due to the deteriorating pasture condition. Goats body condition were moderate across most livelihoods and they were rated at score 5. The pasture quality and quantity could be said to be poor and further deteriorating while the browse quantity could be said to be fair but the condition is also deteriorating.

-Drought risk was still medium foo February but the condition may worsen should the long rains delay further. Most parts of Lamu East sub-county such as Siyu, Kiunga, and Kizingitini among other areas are still water stressed and water project under preparedness activities are highly recommended in those areas. That will help to build resilience in those areas.