ReliefWeb

Summary

Drought conditions persisted during February. Localised off-season showers had little impact on environmental conditions. Livestock continue to weaken under the stress of long distances to water and grazing, leading to further falls in productivity and in the purchasing power of pastoralists.

In marginal agricultural counties, land preparation is underway in advance of the long rains season. Large rises in the price of basic foodstuffs, attributed in part to the impact of the poor short rains harvest, are undermining food security.

There have been serious incidents of conflict in the past month in counties including West Pokot, Baringo, Laikipia, Samburu, Isiolo and Kitui. This requires close monitoring and rapid response, particularly in dry season grazing areas.

The outlook for the long rains season is that rainfall in arid and semi-arid counties is likely to be generally depressed (with the possible exception of the North Rift) and poorly distributed. As a result, the season may not support an adequate recovery. All actors should therefore prepare for deepening drought stress further into 2017.