Roundup: FAO warns of looming food shortage in Kenya

The UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) on Saturday warned of a looming food shortage in Kenya due to poor performance of the ongoing short rains in 2016 and drought in 2017 in parts of the country.

In a statement issued in Nairobi, FAO said poor rains in 2016 and drought in 2017 have led to a significant risk of drought conditions in 2017, threatening the food security of some of the country's most vulnerable people.

"Those most at risk are small-scale herders in the arid and semi-arid lands (ASALs), where livestock rearing can account for as much as 90 percent of employment and family income," FAO said.

According to the UN agency, the delayed onset and erratic nature of the current rains means critical pasture and water resources are not being replenished following already poor rains during the April to June 2016 rainy season.

The latest data from the National Drought Management Authority and the Predictive Livestock Early Warning System -- being developed by FAO and Texas A&M University -- indicates a severe lack of forage from February to the next long rains in 2017.

"With 1.3 million people in the ASAL areas already in need of food assistance (as well as an additional 200,000 people in other parts of Kenya), the poor performance of the short rains and its impact on pasture and water availability is raising concerns of deepening food insecurity in early 2017," FAO said.

FAO Kenya Head of Livestock sector, Dr. Piers Simpkin said although short rains have started in most parts of Kenya, they will only provide short-term relief and recovery.

Thanks to a 400,000 U.S. dollars disbursement from FAO's recently established Early Warning -- Early Action funding mechanism, the UN agency is already working with the government to help herders in Kilifi, Kwale, Marsabit and Wajir counties to mitigate the anticipated adverse effects of the drought.

"The 400,000 dollars is just a drop in the ocean of requirements, but judicious timing and use of the funds to catalyze and prepare and mobilize should have much bigger impact," said Piers.

Forecasts indicate that the coastal and northern Kenya counties are likely to experience drought.

"Whilst the current areas of concern are along the coast, as we move into 2017 these areas are likely to recover but the fodder availability situation will worsen in the North, particularly in Marsabit and Wajir counties," said Piers.

He said poor performance of the short rains will reduce the effect of the typical recovery period during and after the October to December short rains. Endit