Kenya Food Security Outlook April to September 2009

The current food security situation remains worrisome for marginal agricultural, agropastoral, pastoral, and urban livelihoods. A succession of poor seasons since October 2007 culminated in the near-complete failure of the just-concluded yet critical short-rains season in these areas. Of increasing concern is the poor start to the 2009 long-rains season in the marginal agricultural areas and many parts of the pastoral rangeland, as purchasing capacities and coping strategies are eroded while food and non-food prices rise. Full Report

Kenya Food Security Alert April 9, 2009
Following a drier than normal January - March period in Kenya?s southeastern marginal agricultural lowlands, the onset of the much anticipated 2009 long rains is already one dekad late. In this area, the long rains tend to be unreliable and production during this period accounts for only 30 percent of annual cereal production. However, this production is an important buffer against food insecurity for households during the July - September period. Good performance of the long rains season is particularly important this year because households in this region are already facing a critical decline in food security following a failure of the 2008/09 short rains. Full report

THE 2008/?09 SHORT-RAINS SEASON ASSESSMENT REPORT

The steep deterioration in food security over the past four months or so has resulted from subjection of fragile livelihoods to a multiplicity of shocks over a short period of time.
While the GoK and development partners have implemented substantial food interventions and generally less significant non-food interventions especially during drought emergencies, food insecurity is increasingly entrenched. Full report