Situation overview
- The larger Makueni reported heavy rainfall in the hilly and middle zones all through compared to the lower zones which received fewer rains of 189mm by 30th of November 2009.
- Middle and the hilly zones had consumed green vegetables with rest of their crops like beans flowering and maize almost at tusseling stages. The first germination of crops in the lower districts of Kibwezi and Makindu dried up due lack of enough rain for the last complete month and farmers had to replant. Army worm attack was reported in the lower districts ( makindu and Kibwezi).
- Livestock appreciated in both prices and body health due to the little available pasture.
- Water availability was noted in all the divisions which received good rains, hence reducing the distances both for livestock and domestic animals. The main water sources were natural rivers, springs, traditional river wells, boreholes, pans and dams that recharged, especially in the hilly and middle zones.
- Prices of food stuffs such as legumes dropped while milk and its products kept on rising in prices due to low supply in the milk bars in the district.
- Livestock prices increased significantly for all the species (cattle, goats and sheep) within the month.
- The nutrition status of children below five years was stable, with the percentage of those rated at risk of malnutrition remaining at 18%, the same as in October. This was due to continuous supply of unimix, availability of green vegetables and SSP in the health facilities.