Kenya Short Rains Assessment Report 2008

Date: 11 Mar 2008

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Background

The Short Rains Assessment 2008 was conducted in February 2008 to determine the impact of the short rains season on the food security situation of arid and semi arid districts. Assessments were also conducted in the conflict-affected areas to evaluate the impacts of the post election violence on food security in the most affected areas. Thirty one representative districts falling into seven broad livelihood clusters were assessed including:

1. Northern Pastoral (Turkana, Moyale, Marsabit and Samburu Districts);
2. Eastern Pastoral (Mandera, Wajir, Garissa, Isiolo and Tana River Districts);
3. Agro-Pastoral (Baringo, West Pokot, Narok, Kajiado and Laikipia Districts);
4. Coastal Marginal Agricultural (Taita Taveta, Malindi, Kilifi and Kwale Districts);
5. Eastern Marginal Agricultural (Tharaka, Mbeere, Machakos, Mwingi, and Kitui Districts);
6. North Rift and Western Mixed Farming (Nakuru, Uasin Gishu, Trans Nzoia, Kericho, Lugari, Kakamega, and Bungoma).
7. South Rift (Nakuru, Nakuru North, Naivasha and Molo)
8. Central Mixed Farming (Nyandarua).

Clusters six and seven represented the conflict-affected areas that are generally food secure during normal times. The assessment teams were composed of government and non-government experts from both food and non-food sectors since the field of food security analysis is broad and multi-sectoral.

Key Findings