Kilifi County, Kenya| Stakeholders in Kilifi County have issued an urgent warning over an impending hunger crisis following three consecutive failed rainy seasons.
The prolonged drought has left thousands of residents, particularly in Ganze, Kaloleni, and Magarini sub-counties, at severe risk of malnutrition and food insecurity.
The County Steering Group (CSG), a multi-sectoral team comprising officials from the county and national governments alongside non-governmental organizations, has expressed grave concerns over the deteriorating situation.
Without immediate interventions, they caution that the crisis could escalate further, endangering vulnerable populations.
Declining Harvests and Worsening Water Shortages
Kilifi County Commissioner Josphat Biwott, who chairs the CSG, confirmed the severity of the crisis, revealing that recent maize harvests amounted to less than 33% of normal yields.
This drastic reduction has significantly strained food supplies, forcing many households into desperate conditions.
“Water and food shortages have already intensified, particularly in Ganze, Kaloleni, and Magarini, where some areas have completely run dry,” Biwott stated.
To address the situation, the CSG has convened meetings to explore solutions, focusing on emergency food relief, water provision, nutrition support, and ensuring school feeding programs remain operational to prevent children from dropping out due to hunger.
“Well-wishers, the national and county governments must step up with food aid and financial support,” Biwott urged.
While some areas, such as Kilifi South, Kilifi North, and Rabai, are experiencing less severe impacts, authorities have vowed to prioritize relief efforts in the hardest-hit regions.
Health and Nutrition Crisis
The crisis is already affecting public health, with increasing cases of malnutrition reported in local health facilities.
Kenya Red Cross Kilifi County Coordinator, Kauthar Lawi, highlighted the growing concern, citing alarming reports from the health, education, and livestock departments.
“When the health department records a rise in malnutrition cases, it is a clear indication that households lack sufficient food,” Lawi explained.
She called for both immediate and long-term interventions, including food relief programs, cash transfers, and sustainable agricultural projects such as irrigated farming in areas with access to water sources.
Climate Change and the Need for Sustainable Solutions
The National Drought Management Authority (NDMA) Kilifi County Coordinator, Bakari Mwachakure, attributed the worsening food insecurity to unpredictable and insufficient rainfall caused by climate change.
He emphasized the urgent need for sustainable water management strategies, including constructing climate-resilient dams to support irrigation farming.
“The rains have become unreliable, and our existing dams, which were designed based on past rainfall patterns, can no longer sustain farmers through dry spells.
Investing in climate-resilient dams can ensure stable water supplies and reduce dependence on relief aid,” Mwachakure said.
Ranking of Most Affected Areas
According to the Kilifi County food security assessment, Ganze is the most affected sub-county in terms of food insecurity, followed by Kaloleni, Magarini, Rabai, Kilifi South, and Kilifi North.
These rankings are based on indicators such as agricultural performance, livestock conditions, education disruptions, and malnutrition levels.
The Kilifi assessment is part of a broader national review by the Kenya Food Security Steering Group covering 23 arid and semi-arid counties. The findings will guide the government’s response in the coming months.
Racing Against Time: Emergency Response Needed
With the next rains expected to arrive late—between the first and second week of April—and forecasts predicting below-average rainfall, the situation could become even more dire in the next two months.
Stakeholders are now calling for immediate emergency interventions to prevent widespread hunger and worsening malnutrition.
The race against time has begun, and without swift action, thousands of Kilifi residents could face devastating consequences.
Authorities, humanitarian agencies, and the private sector are being urged to collaborate on short-term relief efforts and long-term resilience strategies to mitigate the impact of future droughts.
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