Severe food shortages predicted in Kenya
27 February 2008

Following a seven day mission to assess the impact upon internally displaced people in Kenya, VETAID has predicted severe food shortages in the coming season.

The assessment team has estimated that only around 30% of the cereal crop has been planted in Rift Valley and Western provinces of Kenya. These are some of the most fertile parts of Kenya and produce most of the country’s food.

At this point in the year, just before the long rainy season during which over 80% of the Kenya’s cereals and pulses are produced, farmers are usually preparing their land and planting crops.

Many farming communities have been forced from their land in order to seek safety elsewhere. Their absence at this critical time indicates severe food shortages and therefore higher prices over the coming months.

There has also been a considerable impact upon farming communities which depend on livestock. While fleeing their homes in search of safety, people abandoned their animals or sold them at very low prices in order to quickly acquire the money needed to relocate. The drop in livestock prices is significant, for example, a dairy cow which would normally sell for US$ 400-500 is being sold for as little as US$ 150.

The size of dairy herds in many districts of the Rift Valley Province has reduced drastically, estimated at around a 40% reduction in Nakuru district. This is due to legal and illegal movements of animals outside these areas as the farmers fled for safety. This is likely to lead to a shortage of milk and dairy produce in the coming months.

Dr Mohamed Yussef, VETAID’s Emergency Projects Co-ordinator in Nairobi, says, “Most of the affected families lost last year’s harvest when they abandoned their farms. They are currently unable to access their land or cannot afford farm inputs and services, such as fertiliser, seeds and veterinary drugs, due to the breakdown of the marketing chain.

Because of this, there is a fear that farming households may not achieve their production capacity. This will have a negative impact upon the country’s future food security.”

As talks between Kenya’s president and the opposition leader have today been suspended, it is possible that the crisis may worsen and more people may become displaced.

VETAID and partner Vétérinaires sans Frontières-Belgium plan to begin work to improve the livelihoods, income and food security of displaced communities and those returning to their farming land. This work is planned in Rift Valley and Western provinces which have been most affected by the current crisis.

ENDS

For more information or to arrange an interview with VETAID staff in Kenya, please contact Gail Wilson on 0131 445 6231.

Notes for editors:

• The VETAID/VSF-Belgium assessment of conditions in IDP camps across Kenya took place from 6 – 13 February 2008. Activities to tackle the main problems the team has identified in the camps are currently being developed.
• The UN estimates that about 600,000 people in Kenya are displaced; 300,000 people, mainly consisting of women and children, have sought refuge in police stations, churches and schools, while another 300,000 are staying with family or friends.
• Kenya held its fourth multi-party elections on 27 December 2007. The outcome of the presidential elections was highly disputed and protests erupted immediately the results were announced. The multi-ethnic Rift Valley Province has borne the brunt of the violence leading to a humanitarian crisis of considerable proportions.
• VETAID is a Scottish-based international development organisation that works in four countries in east and the Horn of Africa with communities who depend on livestock for their survival. More information about VETAID can be found on .
• VETAID is a member of Vétérinaires sans Frontières (VSF) Europa. For more information, consult the website http://www.vsfe.org.