Tharaka Nithi County: Drought Early Warning Bulletin for July 2013

Situation Overview:

• There were no rainfalls received during the reporting month in the larger Tharakanithi County.

• The browse and pasture quality and quantity is fair but has continued to diminish as compared to the month of June.

• Natural rivers remained as the main source of water in the month of July given that seasonal rivers, water pans and shallow wells have dried up. Distance of livestock access to water increased by 13.75% while household access to water increased by 4.76% in comparison to the month of June.

• The Livestock body condition was fair to good across livelihood zones, but with a declining trend. This is attributed to declining pasture, browse quality and quantity, and increased distance to both pasture and watering point.

• Cattle price in the month of July recorded 11.41% decrease compared to the previous month while prices for goats decreased by 3% in July as compared to June.

• There was reduction of milk availability at household level across all livelihood zones, with average household consumption decreasing by 16.36 % during the period under. This could be attributed to deteriorating pasture quality and quantity and increased distance to grazing and water sources that severely affected livestock productivity.

• The average price per kg of maize increased by 9.99 % to Ksh. 28.60 in the month of July compared to Ksh. 26.00 recorded in June .The increasing prices could be attributed to declining house hold food stocks and limited on farm crop harvests.

• A larger percentage of households (32%) relied upon casual labour as the main source of income in the month of July.

• The average daily wage rate was Ksh. 221.30 fairly comparable to Ksh. 223.30 recorded last month.

• There were suspected cases of measles outbreak in Twanthanju sub location, Kathangachini location, suspected to be from Mwingi Sub County, with the number of people infected having increased in July in comparison to what was registered in the previous month.

• Health facilities in the County registered an increase in the number of children who are underweight in the month of July as compared to June.

• The proportion of children at risk of malnutrition was 8.30% in July. This a relatively high percentage compared to 5.63% which is the norm at this time of the year

• The overall Early Warning System phase for July is alert with a deteriorating trend.