Harvest prospects for the 2002 main “long rains” cereal crop are unfavourable due to an early end to the season. Earlier optimistic crop prospects based on normal rainfall forecasts were dampened by erratic rains, with some key maize growing areas in the Rift Valley Province receiving poor rains. However, the maize harvest in Western and Nyanza provinces, with the exception of some flooded areas, is expected to be normal to above normal. Early estimates of the long rains maize crop indicate an output of about 1.89 million tonnes compared to 2.32 million tonnes in 2001.
Favourable rainfall in July in several previously drought-affected pastoral areas improved overall food supply prospects. However, continued food security concerns are reported in the districts of Mandera, Moyale, southern parts of Tana River, West Pokot, Koibatek, Marakwet and Baringo. An Emergency Operation worth US$ 36.26 million was jointly approved in April 2002 by FAO and WFP for food assistance to 1.26 million drought-affected people for a period of 6-1/2 months (15 April to 31 October).