FARMERS in Kitui county have been urged to take early precautions after new forecasts warned of yet another season of poor rains, raising fears of deepening food insecurity in the region.
County meteorological services director Daniel Mbithi said the October–December rainfall season is likely to be depressed, adding that farmers should be careful when selecting seeds and farm inputs.
His caution comes after the Igad Climate Prediction and
Applications Centre projected that most of Eastern Kenya will be both drier and
warmer than usual, partly due to a developing weak La Niña.
The warning is especially concerning for Kitui, where the March–May rains were also below average, leaving many farmers staring at massive crop losses. A review by the National Drought Management Authority showed the county received rainfall for 40 days instead of the expected 60, with parts of Kitui, Makueni and Tharaka Nithi counties recording crop failure of up to 100 per cent.
Mbithi advised farmers to interpret the forecast as an early warning and prepare by shifting to drought-tolerant seed varieties. He said value chain actors should also align with the predictions to avoid stocking inputs unsuitable for the expected weather conditions.
The October rains are traditionally the most reliable for Lower Eastern Kenya, meaning another failed season could have far-reaching implications for household food supply and the local economy.
