Situation Overview
Stability
Drought stress intensifies across the district, extending to parts of the plateau and lowlands that received continental rains. The lower parts of the lowlands remain more disadvantaged.
Forage conditions worsen in dry season grazing areas that were secure and accessible to livestock herds. While insecurity prone areas had adequate pastures but in accessible due to insecurity.
Water sources experience diminishing yields as a result of increasing utilization by both livestock and domestic uses.
Availability
Body conditions in cattle range between fair and poor. While small stock body conditions remain fairly stable. Livestock herds in the lowlands are already vulnerable. Delay in short rains onset may result to livestock mortalities in all species.
Incidences of CCPP in goats were reported across the district. Livestock prices in cattle and goats realized marginal improvement and sheep prices slight fluctuation compared to last months prices. Increase in small stock sales were also notable as a coping mechanism engaged by household to drought effects.
Milk production diminished further due to poor feed regime.
Agro-pastoral livelihoods have been destabilized by ongoing insecurity for the last six months. Production systems in this zone are in the process of collapse if remedial measures are not initiated.
Access
Malaria, diarrhea, and upper respiratory tract infection were the common human ailments reported. Though within manageable levels.
Nutrition status rates of children under five years of age improve from last months 21.4% to 19.6% for at risk category.
Food deficits at the household level, in all livelihoods remain evident.
Ongoing eviction of pastoralists from Laikipia district and current insecurity situation resulted to abnormal migrations in the district. Cattle in the lowlands were also affected by in migration that pushed them away from their normal dry season grazing area to far grazing areas.
Utilization
Ongoing insecurity in parts of the plateau contributed significantly to drought effects vulnerability for displaced households. Food insecurity therefore remains critical in all livelihoods that are equally hit.
Eviction of pastoralists from Laikipia is already bearing a negative impact in all livelihoods in the district. While insecurity menace in high potential part of the district that persisted for over six months should be arrested by Government machinery to restore peace and order.
1. ENVIRONMENTAL INDICATORS
1.1 Rainfall
Drought stress intensifies across the district, extending to parts of the plateau and lowlands that received continental rains. The lower parts of the lowlands remain more disadvantaged.
The awaited short rains in the lowlands are expected to reverse the already felt drought stress. Delay in short rains onset may be detrimental to already vulnerable livelihoods.
1.2 Forage (Pasture and browse)
Forage conditions worsen in dry season grazing areas that were secure and accessible to livestock herds. While insecurity prone areas that have adequate pastures in terms of quality and quantity remain a no go zone.
Eviction of pastoralists from Laikipia also had negative impact to pasture utilization in dry season grazing areas
Livestock concentrations were notable in Siraa, Koom, and Wamba ranges in the eastern part of the district. While in the western wing, concentrations were mainly in Marti, and Lorroki forest. Malaso escarpment and upper belts of the plateau have good forage but insecurity remain a concern.
Improved forage conditions would trigger assets recovery at household level.
1.3 Water Sources
1.3.1 Use of Water Sources
Water sources experienced diminishing yields as a result of increasing utilization by both livestock and domestic uses.
1.3.2 Average distance (Kms) to Water Sources
Average distances to near by water sources slightly increased as compared to last month 3.61Km to 3.87Km. Average time taken by both livestock and household members at the watering points has increased from last months 1hr and 30 minutes to 2hrs reflecting increasing water demand and diminishing yields.
2. RURAL ECONOMY INDICATORS
2.1. Livestock body condition
Body conditions in cattle range between fair and poor. While small stock body conditions remain fairly stable a cross the district. Livestock herds in the lowlands are already vulnerable. Delay in short rains onset may therefore result to livestock mortalities in all species.
Below normal forage conditions impacted negatively on livestock body conditions.
Poor livestock body conditions mean low returns to the pastoralist's economy hence low purchasing power.
2.2 Livestock Health
Livestock diseases remain within manageable levels only incidences of CCPP were reported across the district but no major out breaks experienced. Mortality rates however remain low.
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