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Tana River County: Drought Early Warning Bulletin for July 2014

Countries
Kenya
Sources
Govt. Kenya
Publication date
Origin
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Situation Overview

  • The long dry spell has started and some areas have started experiencing water stress. Temperatures ranging between 25°C to 31°C.

  • The pasture and browse condition is currently fair in both Pastoral and marginal mixed livelihood zones but better in mixed livelihood zones. Pasture and browse is expected to change as the long rains season is coming to an end and the amount of rainfall has drastically reduced in all livelihood zones.

  • Livestock body condition for cattle, goats, sheep and camel is good across all livelihood zones apart from Tana North where body condition of cattle is rated as fair. Body condition is normal at this time of the year apart from that of Tana North which is below normal. The livestock body condition is expected to remain good until September, 2014. Currently, there is no livestock disease outbreaks reported. Endemic diseases such as Contagious Caprine Pleural Pneumonia (CCPP), Contagious Bovine Pleural Pneumonia (CBPP), trypanosomiasis and worms have continued across all livelihood zones.

  • Estimated 30 percent of cattle and 20 percent sheep and goats have migrated from Tana North to Tana Delta. In-migration of livestock from Garissa County has also been experienced through Bura East and Masalani-Boji Bridge. No cases of notifiable diseases outbreaks. No unusual livestock deaths. Human, wildlife conflicts reported in some areas like Assa and Sala

  • With the onset of long dry spell, water levels have reduced in most water reservoirs and currently there is no enough water for both livestock and domestic needs. Water stress currently being experienced in Pastoral and Marginal mixed livelihoods. Most of the catchment pools/natural ponds have dried up while the volumes in the pans have reduced due to lack of rainfall. The existing water sources are generally expected to last between 1- 2 months. Distances to water from grazing is 8.83 km compared to 6.9 km of last month, there is an upward trend.

  • The average price of a mature 3 year old bull in the month of July was Kshs.24, 072. In comparison to the month of June, where the price of a 3 year old mature bull was Kshs.25, 503, the price in July has decreased significantly. The decrease in the cattle prices is attributed to market dynamics and given that body condition showing signs of stress.

  • On average the milk produced per household within Tana River County was 42.0 litres in the month of July.
    In comparison to the month of June where the average milk produced per household was 41.25 litres, the milk production level has increased slightly within the month of July but this is expected to drastically with the onset of long dry spell. Compared to long term average of 62.79 litres, the current milk production is below normal at this time of the year.

  • The average maize price per kilogram for the month of July was Kshs.53. In comparison to the month of June, where the average price per kilogram of maize was Kshs.51, the prices have increased by the end of July. In comparison to the average maize price for this time of the year, the current maize prices are above normal at this time of the year and this is attributed to market dynamics.

  • The percentage of children under the risk of malnutrition in the County within the month of July was 9.15%.
    In comparison to the month of June, where the percentage of children at risk of malnutrition was 8.95%, the nutritional status for children under the age of 5 years worsened within the month of July. The worsening of the nutritional status of children under the age of 5 years is attributed to reduction of water and pasture which has led to decrease in milk production and consumption. Compared to long term averages, the current percentage is below normal at this time of the year.