In the northern pastoral cluster, the 2007 long rains season started in March to May but were ongoing up to July across most districts albeit erratically. The amounts of rainfall recorded were below normal with poor distribution.

The eastern pastoral cluster received poor rainfall, which was between 50-80% of the normal except for a few pockets in the north east, east and south eastern areas. The long rains commenced in late March and early April in the agro-pastoral zone and continued until late July. The total rainfall received during the season exceeded the long term average.

The eastern marginal agricultural zone received depressed rainfall during the March/April 2007 long rains unlike the previous short rains season. There was variation in rainfall performance in the coastal region, from floods along the coastal strip to very poor precipitation in the hinterlands. Although the long rains of 2007 started in late March and ended earlier than expected in some areas around the lake they were adequate and well-distributed.

The rains have continued seasonally in western Kenya, the grain basket region enabling adequate crop development in the area.

There has been additional improvement in the food security status in the country after the 2007 long rains especially in Lake basin and coastal marginal agricultural; agro-pastoral and eastern pastoral livelihood zones.

In the northern and eastern pastoral; eastern and parts of coastal marginal agricultural livelihoods, the marked improvement in both crop and livestock production during the successful short rains season lessened the negative outcome of the poor 2007 long rains season. Households in all these livelihood zones continue to recover from the adverse effects a succession of poor seasons before the 2006 long rains. Another good short rains season is critical in reinforcing the recovery process. Full report