Below normal rainfall results in poor crop conditions

Below normal and poorly distributed rainfall has resulted in poor crop conditions, which are expected to continue for several months in eastern and northern parts of Kenya, a report by USAID's Famine Early Warning System (FEWS) said. The "less than normal" rainfall during the 1999 long-rains season had promoted a "degeneration of vegetation", even in high potential districts of the country. "The poor vegetative conditions are expected to continue for the next several months in eastern and
northern Kenya, since the short-rains are not expected until October," FEWS said. A FEWS and Kenyan Ministry of Agriculture assessment in the key producing districts of Nakuru, Kericho, Nandi, Uasin Gishu and Trans Nzoia revealed "unusually poor crop conditions". The price of the staple, maize, has increased by margins ranging between 40-50 per cent over the last four
months across the country. In the pastoral districts, the "precarious welfare status" of the pastoralists was demonstrated by raising rates of child malnutrition," FEWS said.