Food security improves following above-average short rains

Most households in western areas and Rift Valley are maintaining Minimal (IPC Phase 1) acute food insecurity following the October to January long rains harvest, which has increased market supplies and household food stocks and helped stabilize market prices. The harvest is estimated to be approximately 10 percent above the five-year average.  

In pastoral areas, above-average short rains, driven in part by the ongoing El Niño, led to the seasonal recovery of rangeland resources, increasing livestock productivity. With pasture available near homesteads, few livestock have migrated and households have access to milk, improving food security. Some households have improved to None (IPC Phase 1), although many households remain Stressed (IPC Phase 2). No significant deterioration in food security is expected during the January to March dry season. 

In the southeastern and coastal marginal agricultural areas, the above-average short rains is likely to result in an average to above-average February/March harvest, further supporting household food security. However, below-average harvests are expected in isolated pockets of Makueni, Taita Taveta, and Kwale that received below-average rainfall. The majority of households are expected to maintain Minimal (IPC Phase 1) acute food insecurity through March.