OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT SPECIAL PROGRAMMES ARID LANDS RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PROJECT II DROUGHT MONTHLY BULLETIN FOR NOVEMBER 26 KAJIADO DISTRICT WARNING STAGES Livelihood Zone Warning stage Trend Pastoral-all species Alert Improving Agro pastoral Alert Improving Casual/Waged labour/business /Trade Normal No change Mixed farming Normal No change District Alert Improving Division Short Rains in Loitokitok division Long Rains in Loitokitok Jan-Feb March - April - May Jun-July - Aug- Sept Oct - Nov - Dec Long Rains in other divisions Short Rains in other divisions NB. Kajiado district has bimodal rainfall pattern. The long rains fall between March and May while short rains fall between October and December. Areas where drought has persisted: whole of Mashuru and Magadi pastoral livelihoods.
Situation Overview Moderate to heavy rainfall was received in most parts of the district by the close of the month. Water availability and accessibility for livestock, agriculture and domestic use improved compared to the previous month. Distance to and from watering points was within the accepted radii of less than 3km. In areas that received adequate rainfall all temporary water sources (pans and dams) had water. Livestock body condition was fair for all species but expected to improve in the next few months owing to pasture availability in most parts of the district. Pasture regeneration started in earnest and was available in green lush form in most areas. There were reported cases of CBPP in cattle and CCPP in shoats as in the previous month. Average cattle price increased from Ksh. 9,167 to Ksh 9581 in October and respectively. The observed trend is mainly attributed to low supply in most market as pastoralist embarked on herdbuilding owing to improved pastures and water conditions. Child malnutrition rates are still high. The number of children with MUAC < 135mm- (At Risk %) slightly declined from 14.8% to 12.9% in October and respectively 8% of households food needs are met by purchases and relief food. Recommendation to district Authorities/DSG and National KFSSG Food Intervention: Continued relief food operations in the district: retargeting of affected population under EMOP. Nutritional support/supplementary feeding should be targeted to communities still reporting persistent high malnutrition rate among the under fives. Livestock Sector Disease control- vaccination of cattle and small stock against FMD, CCPP, LSD and diarrhoea in small stock. Livestock restocking /redistribution Education Enhanced school feeding program Water Sector Rehabilitation and drilling of strategic boreholes Current drought / concluded interventions Food Aid: GoK/WFP EMOP Phase IV; is on going, targeting 22% of Kajiado population. NIA/ACCORD/ Concern World Wide- Water development, and Ipomoea control NIA Restocking programme in Central and Mashuru divisions. German Agro Action Water development in Mashuru division 1. Environmental indicators (Stability) 1.1 Rainfall 2
Generally the performance of the Short rains was varied across the district; moderate to heavy rainfall in high altitude areas, and scattered, intermittent and below normal rains were received in low altitude areas by the close of the month of. The observed trend is normal at this time of the year. DIVISION LOITOKITOK CENTRAL MAGADI NAMANGA NGONG MASHURU ISINYA Amount in 272.4 213.9 276.4 223.8 258.4 127.5 144.6 mm No. of Rainfall days 19 11 14 12 18 11 days 14 Distribution Moderate, Unevenly Distributed 1.2 Condition of Natural vegetation and pasture. The quantity and quality of both pasture and browse was fair to good in most parts of the district. Pasture was available in its green and lush form. Generally, most areas reported improved pasture and browse condition. Distance to grazing areas Distance to grazing areas declined from 7kms to 3kms in most areas. The distance to grazing areas is on downward trend as the dry season progresses. 1.3 Water availability and accessibility Water sources Most Temporary water sources (dams and pans) were recharged. Seasonal rivers were flowing but volumes of water were low. Use of strategic boreholes, shallow wells and pipe lines reduced in most areas. Water availability was fair to good district wide. The observed situation is near normal compared to a normal year. Table 2: Water sources and percentage of household using them, compared to a normal situation. Water source % of households depending on the source % of households that depend on the source normally Boreholes& Shallow wells Rivers & springs pipelines 1 3% 1% 6 5 15 5 75 Dams &Pans Table 3: Average return distances to water sources, compared to a normal situation Water source Boreholes& Shallow wells Dams and springs pipelines Pans 5 Kms 3 3Kms 5 Kms Average Kms to the source 2 Kms 3.5 Kms.5 Kms Normal Kms to the source Household access to water The average distance to water sources is 3kms. Return time for fetching water for domestic reduced to 1hour in most areas. The current average distance to water sources is normal and within the accepted seasonal ranges. Livestock access The distance from grazing points to water points reduced from 7 Kms- 3km (one way) depending on the availability of temporary water sources. The observed situation is near normal at this time of the year. 1.4 Emerging issues Uncontrolled sand harvesting along seasonal rivers in Central division. Excessive charcoal burning in Meto, Namanga division. 3
2. Rural Economy Indicators (Food availability) 2.1 Livestock Production 2.1.1 Livestock body condition All Livestock kinds maintained fair to good body condition district wide. This is mainly attributed to improved pasture and water availability in most parts of the district. Livestock body condition is expected to perk up in the next few months if the on going short rains persist. The observed trend in livestock body condition is near- normal at this time of the year. 2. 1.2 Livestock Health No major livestock disease outbreak reported. There were reported cases of CCPP in shoats and CBPP in cattle in Mashuru and Loitokitok divisions. 2.13 Milk Production. The average daily milk production increased from 2 liters to 3 litres. However, the situation is expected to improve in a few weeks time if the short rain persists. The increase can largely be attributed to improved pasture and water availability. Generally, milk production is near normal compared to a normal year. 2.2 Crop production 2.2.1 Timeliness and Status of crop Major crop production activities in the rain fed agriculture and agro pastoral areas were first weeding of maize and beans. Crops are in good condition owing to good rains. No major crop disease was reported. 2.2.2 Implication on food security The month marked the end of a poor cropping season in the rain fed areas of the district. Overall crop performance is near normal compared to a normal year. Wildlife menace and use of uncertified seeds was reported district wide. Food security situation in the crop growing areas is fair but expected to improve in the next few months if the rains persist. The overall food security situation at household level remains poor especially in the pastoral livelihood zones owing to adverse effects of the recent drought. Milk production is still low but expected to improve by January/February 27; Cereals and pulses are above normal, purchases constitute 7-8% of household diet. Households continue to depend on EMOP relief food supplies. 3. Access to Food 3.1 Livestock marketing 3.1.1 Cattle Prices Average cattle price increased from Ksh 9,167 to Ksh.9,581 in October and respectively. The observed trend is mainly attributed to low supply in most markets as pastoralist embarked on herd-building owing to improved pastures and water conditions. The observed trend in cattle prices is normal at this time of the year (increasing). The increase in price has positive implications on food security in remote pastoral areas AVERAGE CATTLE PRICES AT HOUSEHOLD LEVEL AS AT NOVEMBER 26 COMPARED TO 16 NORMAL YEAR 23-KAJIADO DISTRICT 12 8 4 JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC YEAR 23 1467 14278 14542 14142 13314 13785 1571 1571 13714 14142 13142 1785 YEAR 26 4248 4166 578 6359 851 8671 9559 9941 9489 9167 9581 YEAR/ MONTHS/ DISTRICT MEAN 4
3.1.2 Goat Average goat price has increased from Ksh 1275t to Ksh.1369 in October and respectively. The observed trend is mainly attributed to improved body condition as a result of good pasture and water availability and reduced distance trekked in search of pastures and water (3km). The average price is near normal compared to the normal year 23. The decline in price has positive implications on food security in remote pastoral areas. AVERAGE GOAT PRICE AT HOUSEHOLH LEVEL AS AT NOVEMBER 26 COMPARED TO NORMAL YEAR 23- KAJIADO 2 15 1 5 JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC YEAR 23 1628 1642 1677 1521 1492 1535 1635 17 1542 1371 1464 14 YEAR 26 831 765 979 1122 1282 1335 1338 1345 1281 1275 1369 YEAR/MONTH/DISTRICT MEAN b) Sheep The district average price of sheep increased from Ksh 1,33 to Ksh.1384 in October and November 26 respectively. The price is near normal. The increase in price has positive implications on food security in remote pastoral areas AVERAGE SHEEEP PRICES AT HOUSEHOLD LEVEL AS AT NOVEMBER 26 COMPARED TO NORMAL YEAR 23-KAJIADO DISTRICT 18 16 14 12 1 8 6 4 2 JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC YEAR 23 159 161 165 15 1454 149 1562 165 16 1555 15 145 YEAR 26 847 735 913 152 124 1266 1315 1367 1311 133 1384 YEAR/ MONTHS/ DISTRICT MEAN The increase in Shoats price has positive implications on food security in remote pastoral areas. 3.1.3 Milk consumption Availability and accessibility in the rural pastoral household was on upward trend owing to improved pasture and water availability. The current situation is improving compared to the previous month. Milk yields are below normal compared to a normal year. The trend on milk consumption has a positive implication on food security at rural household level. 3.4 Crop Prices 3.4.1Maize The district average maize price stabilized at Ksh 2/Kg. The observed trend in maize price is normal as indicated in the chart below. There is scarcity of the produce owing to 5 successive seasonal failures in the district. 5
AVERAGE MAIZE P RICE/ KG AT HOUS EHOLD LEVEL AS AT NOVEMBER 26 COMP ARED TO NORMAL YEAR 23-KAJIADO DISTRICT 24 22 2 18 16 14 12 1 8 6 4 2 JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC YEAR 23 2 2 2 18 18 18 2 2 2 2 2 2 YEAR 26 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 YEAR/ MONTHS/ DISTRICT MEAN 3.4.2 Beans The district mean price for beans has stabilized at Ksh. 5/Kg. The prices are above normal average price of Ksh.4/Kg at this time of the year. The increase in price has negative implications on food security in remote pastoral areas. AVERAGE BEANS PRICE/KG AS AT NOVEMBER 26 COMPARED TO NORMAL YEAR 23- KAJIADO DIS TRICT 6 5 4 3 2 1 J AN FEB MAR AP R MAY J UN J UL AUG S EP OCT NOV DEC YEAR 23 4 3 3 3 35 35 35 4 4 4 4 4 YEAR 26 46 48 49 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 YEAR/ MONTH/ DIS TRICT MEAN 3.4.3 Purchase of other food commodities - Posho The average price of posho is Ksh.23/Kg. The price of Posho is above normal; the normal price for posho at this time of the year is Ksh 2 per kg. The increase can largely be attributed to high demand as most pastoralists depend on the food stuff. AVERAGE POSHO PRICE AT HOUSEHOLDLEVEL AND TRENDS AS AT NOVEMBER 26 KAJIADO DISTRICT 25.5 25 24.5 24 23.5 23 22.5 22 21.5 21 2.5 NOV'5 DEC'5 JAN'6 FEB'6 MAR'6 APR'6 MAY'6 JUNE'6 JULY'6 AUG '6 SEPT '6 OCT'6 NOV YR 5/ 6 25 25 25 25 24 23 22 22 23 23 23 23 23 YEAR/ MONTH/ MEAN 6
3.5 Incomes 3.5.1 Crop income There was negligible crop income in rain fed crop growing areas. However, farmers in the irrigation areas of Magadi and Loitokitok earned considerable income from the sale of Tomatoes, Cabbages, Sukumawiki, Onions and Asian vegetables. 3.5.2 Livestock income Generally, income from sale of livestock was relatively low as pastoralist holdback their stock (Herd building). Close to 8% of income from sale of livestock was used to purchase food stuff. 4. Welfare (utilization of food) 4.1 Nutrition status Child malnutrition rates are still high. The number of children with Mid Upper Arm Circumference - MUAC < 135mm- (At Risk %) has slightly declined from 14.8% to 12.9% in October and November 26 respectively. The above trend can largely be attributed to high consumption of legumes and vegetables rather than the normal milk diet. Most households depend on cereals and pulses purchases constituting close to 7% of household food needs. During the review period, Namanga, Loitokitok, Central and Magadi persistently reported high malnutrition rates. NUTRITION STATUS OF CHILDREN UNDER FIVE YEARS NOVEMBER 25-NOV 26 ( MUAC < 135 mm) - KAJIADO DISTRICT 25 2 15 1 5 NOV'5 DEC'5 JAN'6 FEB'6 MAR'6 APR'6 MAY'6 JUN'6 July'6 AUG'6 SPT '6 OCT'6 NOV YEAR 26 13.16 14.27 19.36 2.3 23.69 18.95 13.37 13.5 13 13.1 14.34 14.8 12.9 YEAR/ MONTH 4.2 Health No major disease out break reported in the district. 4.3 Flagged Areas More than 8% of food needs are met by purchases and relief food. Child malnutrition rates are still high. MUAC < 135mm- (At Risk %) is 12.9%. 7
5. Current intervention measures & coping strategies. 5.1 Non-food interventions. Sinking of communal Dams and pans at Kisaju and Nkiito. Quick fixing of boreholes and shallow wells by the pastoralists. 5.2 Food Aid Kajiado Relief food operations EMOP/GoK food relief operations Phase IV of EMOP, on going, targeting 22% of the Kajiado population at 5% ration level. 5.3 Drought coping strategy Normal coping mechanisms practiced to address food deficit at rural household level Seeking employment and casual labour and support from relatives and friends. Swapped consumption to less preferred or cheaper foods. Charcoal burning and sand harvesting. 6. Recommendations for action Recommendations for action: to mitigate and respond to drought and food insecurity situation in the district. A. Food Intervention Up scaling of affected population to 45% from the current 21% under EMOP. Continued EMOP GOK/WFP relief food operations Enhanced school feeding program Supplementary and therapeutic feeding for under fives, lactating and pregnant mothers and the elderly. B. Non- food interventions Education Provision of plastic tanks to schools in the remote pastoral areas. Livestock Sector Pastoralists restocking/recovery programme to be considered Disease control- vaccination of cattle and small stock against CBPP, CCPP, LSD in the affected areas. Control cross border livestock trade. There is need to regulate and control cross border livestock trade which has adversely affected livestock prices. Water Sector Rehabilitation of strategic dry season grazing area water sources, (boreholes, pipelines and shallow wells). 8