Latest data shows a likely unprecedented deterioration in Kenya’s food security situation, with over 5.4 million people experiencing acute food insecurity between March and June this year and likely to deepen in the following months. In the current period (February), corresponding to the short rain harvest season, a slight decrease in the severity of food insecurity is observed across Kenya’s arid and semi-arid lands (ASAL) areas, which presented four counties in IPC AFI Phase 4 (Emergency) in the previous season (namely Isiolo, Turkana, Marsabit and Mandera) that improved to IPC Phase 3 (Crisis). This is mainly due to the direct impact of the rains on livelihoods in these areas. However, the improvement is expected to be limited in time, and further deterioration is projected between March and June 2023. The provisional alleviation of food insecurity conditions in these areas in particular, however, did not translate into an improvement to the Extremely Critical level (IPC AMN Phase 5) of acute malnutrition in parts of Marsabit (Laisamis) and Turkana South, and other areas, like North Turkana, Wajir and North Horr are also projected to reach Extremely Critical levels of acute malnutrition.

In the current period, it is estimated that around 4.4 million people (27% of the ASAL population) are facing high levels of Acute Food Insecurity – IPC AFI Phase 3 (Crisis) or above, of which about 774,000 people are in IPC AFI Phase 4 (Emergency). Compared to the same period last year, this represents a 43% increase in population in IPC Phase 3 or above, while compared to the previous analysis period (October-December 2022), the prevalence of population in IPC AFI Phase 3 or above is similar – with a reduction of the population in IPC Phase 4. Yet, in the projected period, March – June 2023, the severity of food insecurity is expected to worsen again: about 5.4 million people (32% of the population analysed) are projected to face high levels of acute food insecurity (IPC AFI Phase 3 or above), of which 1.2 million people (7%) will likely be in Emergency. This latest projection represents the highest magnitude and severity of acute food insecurity in the ASAL areas in years; urgent action is required to reduce food gaps, protect their livelihoods, and prevent and treat acute malnutrition.

• Provide livestock feeds;
• Provide water for both human and livestock use (servicing, maintenance, provision of fuel subsidy to strategic boreholes, water trucking rehabilitation and extension of water infrastructure (boreholes, pipelines, water pans and dams auxiliary facilities);
• Support farmers with assorted farm inputs (seeds, fertilisers) and scale up trainings on good agricultural practices and water harvesting for crop production, including irrigation expansion of irrigation activities;
• Support commercial livestock off-take and slaughter destocking;
• Intensify disease surveillance, parasitic control, deworming, treatment, vector control and vaccination;
• Promote livestock insurance;
• Provision of water tanks and promotion of water harvesting in schools;
• Monitoring potential conflict locations and support affected communities to build back better;
• Maintain and upscale School Meals Programme;
• Support the construction of storage facilities for food commodities;
• Establish and strengthen Safety Nets Programs (in-kind food and non-food items, cash transfer to insecure households) and initiate market stimulation programs;
• Provide school fees bursaries for vulnerable learners and menstrual and dignity kits for boys and girls;
• Support peacebuilding initiatives to resolve the conflict over resources (regular peace dialogue meetings and sensitisation).