FAO/GIEWS - Foodcrops and Shortages 06/02 - KENYA (3 June)
Heavy rains, floods and landslides in April and May 2002, resulted in the death of more than 40 people and left tens of thousands homeless. Large cropped areas were also destroyed. The worst affected areas include the low-lying areas near Lake Victoria in western Kenya, where rivers burst their banks, submerging fields and washing away roads, and Tana River District in the east.
Prospects for the 2002 main “long rains” season crops are mixed. Normal to above-normal rains in parts have greatly improved crop conditions while in some key maize growing areas in the Rift Valley Province poor rains have dampened prospects. In addition, some key producers are expected to shift out of maize due to the sharp decline in prices.
Unusually heavy rains in most pastoralist areas have improved overall food supply prospects. However, food assistance is still required in many areas, particularly in Turkana, Mandera and parts of Marsabit Districts, where the effects of the 1999/00 drought remain. An Emergency Operation was jointly approved in April 2002 by FAO and WFP for food assistance to 1.26 million drought-affected people, worth US$ 36.26 million for a period of 6-1/2 months (15 April to 31 October).