Attachments
Drought Situation & EW Phase Classification
Significant improvements in biophysical indicators were noted this month. Rainfall amounts received were slightly above normal with good temporal distribution. Spatial distribution was however poor in lower parts of Igembe North, Igembe South, Tigania East, and Tigania West Sub-Counties. River volumes improved significantly. Notable number of water-pans recharged and availability of other sources such as piped water from community based water projects improved water situation in the County. Vegetation conditions improved although have not fully attained normal conditions. Pastures in lower parts of Agro-pastoral livelihood zone are of low quality and quantity unlike in other livelihood zones.
Production indicators were varied. Slight improvements were noted in livestock body conditions across all livelihood zones except those in the lower parts of Agro-pastoral livelihood zone where pastures had not fully recovered. Distances to grazing areas decreased slightly except in Igembe North Sub-County.
Livestock from Tigania East and Tigania West migrated back from Elat in Igembe North while those from Igembe North moved back to wet grazing areas. However, camels and cattle from Isiolo are still within Igembe North. Beans in Rain-fed, Mixed farming, and upper parts of the Agro-pastoral livelihood zones are flowering with podding reported among early planters. Maize in these areas is also nearing tussling stage with tussling already taking place among early planters. In the lower parts of the Agro-pastoral livelihood zone, both maize and beans have wilted with beans drying up in Mutuati and Ndoleli.
Improvements in access indicators was noted. Milk consumption increased albeit slightly. Similarly, distances to watering points for households decreased. Nutrition status of children under five years improved with those at risk decreasing to 21 per cent from 23 percent last month. The County is currently at ‘RECOVERY phase’ with an IMPROVING trend. Despite this, there is need to consider implementing activities to improve nutrition status of children under five years of age and those aimed at minimising conflicts in the grazing areas.