Over two million individuals experience food insecurity in Kenya
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Synopsis
As of March 1, 2024, food insecurity in Kenya affects 2.15 million people, a rise from one million since July 2024. The National Drought Management Authority warns of worsening conditions due to insufficient rainfall, leading to malnutrition and poverty amid ongoing social and economic challenges.
Key Takeaways
- 2.15 million individuals face food insecurity in Kenya.
- Climate change and below-normal rainfall are major contributors.
- Projected rise to 2.8 million facing acute food insecurity.
- 500,000 refugees in food-insecure conditions.
- 80% of Kenya's land is arid or semi-arid, affecting agriculture.
Nairobi, March 1 (NationPress) The current count of individuals facing food insecurity in Kenya has reached 2.15 million, an increase from one million in July 2024, as reported by the National Drought Management Authority (NDMA) of the East African nation.
The NDMA attributes the decline in food security to below-normal short rains, which have undone progress made in previous seasons, resulting in significant household food consumption gaps and heightened levels of malnutrition.
According to the NDMA, the situation is likely to worsen during the upcoming March-May long rains season, with projections indicating that 2.8 million people may face acute food insecurity.
The agency highlighted that the 2024 short rains season performed below average across all livelihood zones within the 23 arid and semi-arid regions, contributing to the surge in the food-insecure population, as reported by Xinhua news agency.
Furthermore, the NDMA noted that dwindling pasture and water availability have forced livestock to travel longer distances, diminishing livestock productivity. This has contributed to a 25-40 percent drop in milk production and soaring milk prices in the pastoral northwest region.
The NDMA's warning comes shortly after climate scientists from the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) announced that Kenya is among four East African nations poised to face heightened heat waves in the near future.
As stated by the World Food Programme from the USA, Kenya, classified as a lower-middle-income economy, is experiencing rapid transformation. Nevertheless, significant social and economic disparities persist. Over one third of the population lives below the poverty line. The primary challenges to food security in the country include rapid population growth, climate change, ineffective food systems, and gender inequalities.
Access to adequate nutritious food continues to be a struggle for many, especially in the arid and semi-arid areas that encompass 80 percent of the nation’s land. The arid climate renders the country's key economic sector, agriculture, highly reliant on seasonal rainfall.
Kenya is currently home to 500,000 refugees, primarily situated in camps located in remote, food-insecure counties. These refugees, with limited freedom of movement and employment opportunities, rely heavily on international assistance.
