Kenia

Most of Kenya has recorded above-average rainfall as the long rains peak, particularly in norther and eastern Kenya where many areas have recorded over 145 percent of the 40-year average. However, in southern and southeastern Kenya less than 85 percent of the 40-year average has been recorded, with localized areas receiving less than 70 percent of the 40-year average.

In the pastoral areas, the long rains are improving water and forage conditions, but livestock body conditions and productivity remain low. Households in NDMA sentinel sites continue to report negligible milk production; however, households in the northeastern pastoral livelihood zone are receiving less than a litre of milk a day, around 35 to 80 percent below the three-year average. High staple food prices, low milk availability, and limited to no income from livestock and milk sales continue to constrain household access to food and income. However, ongoing humanitarian assistance is helping minimize food consumption gaps, supporting area-level Crisis! (IPC Phase 3!) and Crisis (IPC Phase 3) outcomes. 

In the marginal agricultural areas, cropping activities have been constrained by low access to inputs and a late onset of the rains in the coastal areas, which is impacting household access to agricultural labor opportunities. Above-average staple food prices continue to constrain household food access, driving widespread Stressed (IPC Phase 2) outcomes, but one in five households are likely facing Crisis (IPC Phase 3) outcomes in Meru (Meru North), Tharaka, Kitui, and Makueni counties.

Cropping activities are ongoing across Kenya, supported by the ongoing rainfall. In the high and medium rainfall areas of western Kenya and Rift Valley, crops are in early growth stages and generally in good condition. In the marginal agricultural areas, despite below average area planted due to high input costs, crops are in good condition and range from vegetative to knee-high growth stages. However, in the coastal areas, land preparation and planting are ongoing following a late onset and cumulatively below-average rainfall.

In March, wholesale and retail staple food prices in the urban reference markets of Kisumu, Mombasa, Nairobi, and Eldoret, ranged from 26 to 153 percent above the five-year averages driven by high local and regional demand, successive below-average harvests, and high global food and fuel prices. Anticipated maize imports from Zambia will likely be unavailable after Zambia declared an internal maize shortage that will likely constrain exports to Kenya. Maize prices will likely remain high until the start of the long rains harvest in July.