according to their contingency plans. We have set thresholds
in two days; it is an aspect that affects a lot when it comes to
that if you pass then you are allowed to request for funds.
performance of the season.
Where does Kenya stand in terms of food security situation
Another factor is insecurity. How will people plant when they
and handling of the drought emergencies?
are running around due to violence? When a place is insecure
NDMA has done a lot to reduce drought emergencies. Our
accessibility of food is a problem.
mission is to ensure that by 2022 we would have completely
Cultural beliefs are also another factor that contributes to
reduced drought emergencies. If you look at the current food
hunger. There are areas especially in Northern Kenya who
security situation, there has been improvement in the long
believe in planting of maize alone. They are resistant to
rains season as compared to the short rains when we did the
planting of drought tolerant crops such as cassava or sorghum.
assessment in February 2015.
It is very important that communities now resort to drought
During August assessment when the long rains had just ended
tolerant crops to address food shortage.
and then KFSSG embarked on the long rains food security
Technology is another aspect. You see in parts of North Eastern
assessment we discovered that there were only few places that
Kenya it can only rain for three days and the rest of the year
were in crisis phase (Unable to meet daily food requirements).
there is no rainfall. How do we harvest water? This is one area
These were Isiolo and Western parts of Wajir. Most parts, that is
that NDMA is working hard to ensure that it helps out.
in Turkana, Mandera, Garissa and Tana River remained stressed
meaning that even though that food is available it is not normal
to them. We have also promoted planting of drought tolerant
The Kenya Meteorological department has sounded a warning
on the forthcoming El Nino rains. Have you prepared to tackle
crops in several parts of Kenya.
this?
What would you say are the factors that have contributed to
At NDMA we already up to the task. The contingence planning
hunger in the country over the past years?
manager is already working with the county officers to ensure
One is rainfall performance. When there is poor performance
prepare by ensuring that they incorporate into their plans what
of rain or it is erratic where sometimes you get a lot of rainfall
they think could be important in case of the El Nino rains.
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THE SEED - VOL 27, No. 10 OCTOBER 2015
that communities and technical officers at that particular level