Informing humanitarians worldwide 24/7 — a service provided by UN OCHA

Kenya

Makueni County: Drought Early Warning Bulletin for January 2018

Attachments

Drought Situation & EW Phase Classification

Biophysical Indicators

  • The month was hot and dry with an exemption of the hilly areas where light showers (33.8 percent of expected rains) were recorded during the first week.

  • The average 3 month Vegetation Condition Index (VCI) was within the normal vegetation greenness band.

  • Quantity and quality of pasture ranged from fair to good across all the Mixed Farming livelihood zones. Regeneration was poor in the Marginal Mixed Farming livelihood zone. Quality is fast deteriorating due to the dry and hot conditions.

  • State of water sources was normal for the period under review.

Socio Economic Indicators (Impact Indicators)

  • Crops condition was fair although a significant portion had withered (mostly for maize) as a result of moisture stress resulting from increased temperatures. Areas affected include:
    Kisau Kiteta, Mbooni East and parts of Kibwezi East and West.

  • There was a fair performance of legumes such as green grams and cowpeas in in Kibwezi East and parts of Kibwezi west. Beans performed dismally.

  • Livestock body condition was fair (for cattle) and good (for shoats).

  • Both milk production and consumption increased following the regeneration of pasture from OND rains and availability of water for the animals.

  • No cases of human and livestock death and disease reported as a result of drought.

  • Cases of in-migration was reported around Malili from the neighbouring kajiado county

  • Terms of trade was favorable at 85, an implication that from the sale of one goat one could purchase 85kg of maize.

  • Return distances to water sources increased after OND rainy season ceased.

  • Watering distances for livestock increased to 5.7 km from the previous month’s average distance of 4.5 km

  • The percentage of children at risk of malnutrition was within the normal range.

  • The County CSI was within the normal range

  • Food Consumption Score improved significantly from the previous month across all livelihood zones.