National Drought Management Authority

National Drought Management Authority SAMBURU COUNTY DROUGHT EARLY WARNING BULLETIN - SEPTEMBER 2014 Livelihood Zones Map Warning Stages Livelihood zone Warning stage Trend Agro pastoral Late Alert Improving Pastoral-All species Early Alarm Improving County Early Alarm Improving County Seasonal Calendar (January-March) (April-end of May) (June- First Dekad of September) (October-December) Dry period Long rains Continental rains (Plateau) Short rains EWS Bulletin September 2014-Samburu County Page 1 of 13

Situation Overview The dry spell continued to persist throughout the entire County as rainfall remained scarce. The County received rainfall averaging 23.16 mm which was normal comparing it to similar period of previous years since it was higher than long term established mean by 3%. The vegetation in most parts of the County showed signs of recovery as a result of the light showers received at the end of August and in various days of September. The condition of both pasture and browse ranged from good to fair in Agro pastoral LZ and fair to poor in Pastoral LZ. The main sources of water for households were traditional river wells, natural rivers, natural ponds, pans/dams, shallow wells and boreholes. Distances to water points for both households and livestock decreased tremendously compared to August. Body condition for cattle ranged from fair to poor in both livelihood zones as a result of diminishing pasture and browse and long trekking distances to water points and grazing fields whereas body condition for shoats ranged from good to fair due to rejuvenated browse material. Major diseases reported were FMD for cattle and CCPP, PPR for goats. The prices fetched by cattle and shoats improved compared to the previous month due to low market supply and improving body condition respectively. Milk was unavailable to most households since most of the livestock are away from home in search of water and pasture. Some lucky households however resorted to milking lactating goats for consumption by children mostly. Major human ailments reported were Malaria, Upper Respiratory Tract Infections and Diarrhoea. Prices of food commodities remained high but stable. Also, low prices fetched by cattle and shoats negatively impacted on pastoralists purchasing power and consequently their access to food. Tensions are still high in Samburu East following skirmishes that erupted in August between Borana and Samburu communities over grazing resources. Most parts of the county however remained calm though there are fears that the arrival of the short rains might lead to incidences of cattle rustling as pastoralists head back home, Nutritional status of children below five years worsened with the percentage of those considered at risk of malnutrition (based on monthly MUAC measurements) increasing to 16.83 from 15.15 in August. Kawop, Sereolipi, South Horr and Tuum were among the worst affected sentinel sites. EWS Bulletin September 2014-Samburu County Page 2 of 13

Non-food interventions. Repair of broken boreholes by County Government Provision of fuel subsidy by County Government and NDMA Water trucking in Samburu East, Central and North supported by County Government and NDMA Vaccination campaign against FMD in Samburu Central and CCPP in the entire County supported by NDMA and County Government. Health promotion campaigns implemented by Ministry of Health supported by NDMA Peace building and conflict management supported by the Ministry of Interior and Coordination, Catholic Church,World Vision and NDMA Water and Sanitation interventions Implemented by ACTED, IMC and World Vision. Food interventions Protective food ration programme executed by MOH, RAMATI and WFP in four health facilities in Samburu Central General relief food distribution targeting 45,500 beneficiaries within the county (Samburu North, Samburu East and Samburu Central; Only Three Locations in Kirisia and Two Sub-locations in Lorroki) at 65% ration level. Supplementary feeding in 45 health facilities in the county High Impact Nutrition Intervention targeting all under-fives, lactating and pregnant mothers across the County, implemented by UNICEF in partnership with World Vision, IMC, WFP, AMREF and MOH. Recommendations Awareness campaign to farmers to prepare their lands and also provision of early maturity planting material in preparation for the short rains. Provision of multi-vitamins to livestock returning home from migration camps to assist them to feed thereby strengthening them overcome the harsh weather brought about with arrival of short rains. Provision of relief food to hunger stricken communities and foras. Awareness on good hygiene practices to be enhanced to avoid outbreaks of water borne diseases. National and County Government to initiate livestock off-take. Enhance surveillance, vaccination and treatment of livestock against reported diseases. Enhance peace building campaigns across the County to calm tensions and ensure peaceful resource sharing especially in Samburu East. Enhanced nutrition interventions in the entire County. Control of Malaria, Upper Respiratory Tract Infections and Diarrhoea should be stepped up. Wildlife should be restricted in their designated areas to minimize human-wildlife conflict. EWS Bulletin September 2014-Samburu County Page 3 of 13

1.0 Environmental indicators (Stability) 1.1 Rainfall Source: Ministry of Agriculture The dry spell continued to persist throughout the entire County as rainfall remained scarce. The County received rainfall averaging 23.16 mm down from 36.16 mm recorded in August. The rainfall performance was normal comparing it to similar period of previous years as it was higher than long term established mean by 3%. Most of this rain was received in pockets of Agro Pastoral LZ of Samburu Central such as Maralal and Suguta which recorded averages of 54 mm and 43 mm respectively for about 4 days on varying days. The Lowlands which is comprised mainly of Pastoral LZ also received scanty rainfall which might be an indication of the near arrival of short rains. Baragoi for instance received 21mm of rainfall for about 3 days. Generally temporal and spatial distribution over space and time was poor for the entire County. 1.2 Condition of Natural Vegetation and Pasture The vegetation in most parts of the County showed signs of recovery as a result of the showers received at the end of August and also in the reporting month. The condition of both pasture and browse ranged from good to fair in Agro pastoral LZ and fair to poor in Pastoral LZ. The quality and quantity of both pasture and browse in some parts of Agro Pastoral LZ improved drastically compared to the previous month as a result of the rainfall received that resuscitated the vegetation cover making it green. The quality and quantity of browse in Pastoral LZ was fair. The improvement was also as a result of the light showers which favored rejuvenation of browse. Condition of pasture remained poor though as the showers received had no significant impact on it. Vegetation at the foothills of dry season grazing areas is getting depleted very fast due overgrazing caused by the large concentration of animals though there is EWS Bulletin September 2014-Samburu County Page 4 of 13

substantive pasture up the hills which cannot be accessed due to unavailability of water. 1.3. Water Sources and Availability 1.3.1. Water sources The main water source for both livestock and household include: traditional river wells, natural rivers, natural ponds, pans/ dams, shallow wells and boreholes. 1.3.2. Household distances to water points Number of communities (N) =37 The average return distance for households to main water sources decreased to 3.87 km from 5.73 km last month. The distance was lower than the established long term average by 32%. This decrease was attributed to the light rainfall received at the end of August and on various days in September which rejuvenated the water sources. Households walked 3.8 km and 3.4 km in Pastoral and Agro pastoral livelihood zones respectively Sentinel sites which reported high averages were: Nachola-7.7 km,lodungokwe-7.3 km, West Gate 6 km 1.3.3. Grazing distances for Livestock Number of communities (N) =37 EWS Bulletin September 2014-Samburu County Page 5 of 13

The average return grazing distance for livestock to water sources decreased to 9.08 km from 10.47 km last month. The distance was lower than the established long term average by 16%. This decrease was attributed to the light rainfall received at the end of August and on various days in September which rejuvenated livestock watering points. Livestock trekked 10 km and 5.7 km in Pastoral and Agro pastoral LZ respectively. Sentinel sites which reported high averages were: Nachola-18 km,west Gate-17 km, Laresoro-14.7 km and Lodungkwe-13.7 km. 1.4. Emerging Issues 1.4.1. Insecurity/Conflict Tensions are still high in Samburu East following skirmishes that erupted in August between Borana and Samburu communities over grazing resources. The situation escalated further this month leading to loss of both human lives and livestock. Most parts of the county however remained calm though there are fears that the arrival of the short rains might lead to incidences of cattle rustling. The justification of their fears is that as some pastoralists head back homes from their migration camps, they tend to want to restock their herds to compensate the ones they may have lost during the dry spell or even worse increase the size of their existing stock. Human- wildlife conflict was also reported in various parts of the County. Cases of livestock predation, attacks on human beings, destruction of crops and water sources by wildlife were reported in most sentinel sites. The drought situation escalated the situation further as wild animals were forced to go scavenge for food and water close to people s homesteads resulting in them coming into contact with people. 1.4.2. Migration 1.4.2.1. Livestock migration Various circumstances around the county led to livestock migrating back, close to their homes. For Instance, the dry season grazing area of Mbukoi where livestock from Samburu Central and Samburu North were concentrated was facing challenges such as depleting pasture due to large herds, unfavorable cold climatic condition and outbreak of diseases such as FMD. This reasons compelled pastoralists to move away from there and return close to their homes in anticipation of the short rains. Majority however migrated to Longewan and Amayia as condition of pasture there showed signs of recovery due to showers received in August and September. Insecurity in Samburu East in the dry season grazing areas of Losesia, Naishamunye, Chopilo and Kom areas led to pastoralists flee in fear of loss of human lives and loss of cattle. Most of them preffered to hang close to their villages. 1.4.2.2. Human Displacement There were no cases of human displacement reported though cluster villages like Nachola, Marti, Suyan, Lonyangatten, Lomirok, Tuum, Lonjorin, Bendera, Ngilai and Maskita still hold households displaced by perennial conflicts. EWS Bulletin September 2014-Samburu County Page 6 of 13

1.5. Implications on Food Security The light showers received rejuvenated pasture and browse material and also eased livestock trekking distances. This led to improved body condition and subsequently improved livestock prices. Insecurity in Samburu East lead to constraints in accessing and utilization of forage and water negatively impacting food security. 2. Rural Economy indicators 2.1. Livestock Production 2.1.1. Livestock Body Condition Body condition for cattle ranged from fair to poor in both livelihood zones. This was attributed to the long dry spell of over 3 months that led to diminished water and pasture subsequently leading to increased trekking distances. Susceptibility of diseases such as FMD also contributed to poor body condition of the cattle. However body condition of small stocks like goats and sheep ranged from good to fair due to the rains received that favored rejuvenation of browse more than pasture. 2.1.2. Livestock Diseases Major diseases reported for cattle were: FMD in Longewan, Losesia and Sereolipi and Anaplasmosis in Nairimirimo and Lodungokwe. The major diseases reported for goats were: CCPP in Westgate, Laresoro and Lodungokwe, and PPR in South Horr and Kawop. 2.2. Implication on food security Fair to poor body conditions means that livestock fetched low prices which impacted negatively on pastoralists terms of trade and consequently their access to food. Increased disease outbreaks may lead to closure of livestock markets affecting incomes and thereby reduced purchasing power at household level. 3. Access to Food 3.1. Livestock Marketing 3.1.1. Cattle Prices EWS Bulletin September 2014-Samburu County Page 7 of 13

Number of households (N) =396 Average price of cattle rose to Kshs 14,255 from Kshs 13450.8 in August. The price was above the long term mean by 4%. The price rise was attributed to low supply in the market as pastoralists refused to sell their livestock citing traders were using poor body condition as justification to offer low prices. Cattle in Pastoral LZ and Agro Pastoral LZ fetched Kshs 14,373.3 and Kshs 15,000 respectively. The variation was due to better body condition in Agro Pastoral LZ compared to cattle in Pastoral LZ. 3.1.2. Goats Prices Number of households (N) =396 Average price of a goat rose to Kshs 2319.02 from Kshs. 2035.48 in August. The price was still above the long term mean by 19 %. The price rise was attributed to fair body condition. Goats in Agro Pastoral LZ and Pastoral LZ fetched Kshs 2909.5 and Kshs 2145.6 respectively. The variation was due to better body condition in Agro Pastoral LZ. 3.1.3. Sheep prices Number of households (N) =396 EWS Bulletin September 2014-Samburu County Page 8 of 13

Average sheep price rose to Kshs. 2104.82 from Kshs 1918 in August. The price was still above the long term mean by 12%. The price rise was attributed to fair body condition. Sheep in Agro Pastoral LZ and Pastoral LZ fetched Kshs 2753.4 and Kshs 1813 respectively. The variation was due to better body condition in Agro Pastoral LZ compared to sheep in Pastoral LZ. 3.2. Milk production and consumption Milk was unavailable to most households since most of the livestock are away from home in search of water and pasture. Some lucky households however resorted to milking lactating goats for consumption by children mostly. The County produced 48 bottles up from 32 bottles and consumed 40 bottles of 750 ml-bottles over the reporting period. The Agro Pastoral LZ and Pastoral LZ produced 69 and 214 bottles 750 ml-bottles respectively. Average price of milk per 750ml bottle was Kshs 33.56. Average price in Agro Pastoral and Pastoral LZ was Kshs 25 and 30.19 respectively. The variation was due to availability of alternative sources of food in the Agro pastoral LZ compared to Pastoral LZ who depend solely on milk. 3.3. Food Prices 3.3.1. Posho (Maize Meal) Number of communities (N) =37 Price of posho (locally milled maize) remained high but stable fetching an average of Kshs. 51.27 per Kilogram down from Kshs.52.8 in August. The price was greater than the long-term mean by 3%.The price drop was attributed to availability of maize at market level as traders took advantage of the diminishing stocks at household level to import maize from Rumuruti and Nyahururu. On average the price per kg was Kshs. 48.3 and Kshs 52.3 at the Agro Pastoral and Pastoral LZs respectively. Price hike in Pastoral LZ was attributed to added transport costs due to poor road infrastructure. 3.4 Income 3.4.1 Source of Income EWS Bulletin September 2014-Samburu County Page 9 of 13

Number of Households (N) =396 Sale of livestock remains the major source of income for many households within the two county livelihood zones at 48%. Other sources of income for a majority of households include: casual labour, petty trade, sale of charcoal, formal employment, sale of wood products and remittances.. 3.6 Cereal: Meat Price Ratio Number of Households (N) =396 A pastoralist household needs 0.6 kilogram of meat in exchange for a kilo of cereals (maize). The exchange rate was lower than the established long-term mean average by 2%.The favourable terms of trade was attributed to improving livestock prices and stable cereals prices. Cereal-meat price ratio on average was 0.67 in the Pastoral LZ compared to 0.42 in EWS Bulletin September 2014-Samburu County Page 10 of 13

the Agro pastoral LZ. The difference in purchasing power was attributed to availability of cereals in Agro pastoral LZ. 3.7 Implications on Food Security High prices of cereals against Low prices fetched by livestock negatively impacted on pastoralists purchasing power and consequently, their access to food. Over dependence on livestock as a major source of income compromised food security especially at household level since the prices they fetched were too low and consequently their purchasing power. 4. Welfare indicators (Utilization of Food) 4.1 Nutrition Status Number of Children (N) =1522 Nutritional status of children below five years worsened with the percentage of those considered at risk of malnutrition (based on monthly MUAC measurements) increasing to 16.83 from 15.15 in August. This was due to insufficient milk and food as a result of the prolonged drought. Percentage of under-fives at risk (MUAC<135mm) was 8.9 and 17 in Agro Pastoral LZ and Pastoral LZ respectively. Inadequate quantity and quality food, poor food handling and poor child care practices contributed to the high percentage of Underfives with MUAC<135mm in the Pastoral LZ. Sentinel site with high MUAC averages were: Kawop-39.1%, Sereolipi-34.4%, South Horr-26.5% and Tuum -33%. 4.2. Human Health Major human ailments reported in various parts of the County were malaria, upper respiratory tract infections. Cases of diarrhoea were reported in Sereoipi, Kawop, Swaari and Lodungokwe. Households countered the ailments through medical assistance sought from public health centres/ dispensaries, private clinics and use of EWS Bulletin September 2014-Samburu County Page 11 of 13

local herbs. 5.0 Current Intervention Measures and Coping Strategies 5.1. Other coping strategies The average coping strategy index increase to 2.67 up from 2.58 in August, an indication of the worsening condition due to current dry spell. The coping strategy index was 2.6 in the Pastoral LZ compared to 2.2 in the Agro pastoral LZ. The situation was better in Agro Pastoral LZ due to their diversified livelihood and favorable climatic conditions. The common coping mechanisms included swapping consumption to less preferred or cheaper food, borrowing from friends or relatives, reduction in number of meals, skip food consumption for an entire day, begging or engaging in degrading jobs and purchase of food on credit. 5.2. Non-food interventions. Repair of broken boreholes by County Government Provision of fuel subsidy by County Government and NDMA Water trucking in Samburu East, Central and North supported by County Government and NDMA Vaccination campaign against FMD in Samburu Central and CCPP in the entire County supported by NDMA and County Government. Health promotion campaigns implemented by Ministry of Health supported by NDMA Peace building and conflict management supported by the Ministry of Interior and Coordination, Catholic Church,World Vision and NDMA Water and Sanitation interventions Implemented by ACTED, IMC and World Vision. 5.3. Food interventions Protective food ration programme executed by MOH, RAMATI and WFP in four health facilities in Samburu Central General relief food distribution targeting 45,500 beneficiaries within the county (Samburu North, Samburu East and Samburu Central; Only Three Locations in Kirisia and Two Sub-locations in Lorroki) at 65% ration level. Supplementary feeding in 45 health facilities in the county High Impact Nutrition Intervention targeting all under-fives, lactating and pregnant mothers across the County, implemented by UNICEF in partnership with World Vision, IMC, WFP, AMREF and MOH. 6.0 Recommendations Awareness campaign to farmers to prepare their lands and also provision of early maturity planting material in preparation for the short rains. Provision of multi-vitamins to livestock returning home from migration camps to assist them to feed thereby strengthening them overcome the harsh weather brought about with arrival of short rains. Provision of relief food to hunger stricken communities and foras. EWS Bulletin September 2014-Samburu County Page 12 of 13

Awareness on good hygiene practices to be enhanced to avoid outbreaks of water borne diseases. National and County Government to initiate livestock off-take. Enhance surveillance, vaccination and treatment of livestock against reported diseases. Enhance peace building campaigns across the County to calm tensions and ensure peaceful resource sharing especially in Samburu East. Enhanced nutrition interventions in the entire County. Control of Malaria, Upper Respiratory Tract Infections and Diarrhoea should be stepped up. Wildlife should be restricted in their designated areas to minimize human-wildlife conflict. EWS Bulletin September 2014-Samburu County Page 13 of 13