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In its latest seasonal climate update released on Thursday, the agency said the sea-surface temperature anomaly in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific could reach about 3.7°C above normal between October and December. This would surpass the previous record of 2.6°C recorded between November 2015 and January 2016.
The Water CS said the government had to acknowledge Kenya’s vulnerability to alternating periods of heavy rainfall and drought rather than assume that a season of good rains would solve the country’s water problems.
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has warned that the country could face a maize shortfall of 2.2 million tonnes this year, pushing the required imports to a record 2.3 million tonnes to keep households, millers and animal feed manufacturers supplied.
Kenya Dairy Board chairperson Genesio Mugo against buying unpasteurised milk from hawkers and outlets that are not authorised to sell processed milk, saying such products could contain substances harmful to consumers.
In an update issued on Thursday, the agency said El Niño is expected to reach very strong intensity before peaking towards the end of 2026, with its climate impacts likely to continue well into 2027.
The committee made the proposals in a report tabled in the Senate, raising concerns that the Livestock Protection and Sustainability Bill, 2024 has placed too much attention on drought-related measures while giving less attention to other threats facing the livestock sector.
Under the new intervention, the government will meet 50% of the cost of certified maize seed, reducing the price from Sh300 to Sh150 per kilogramme, according to Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe.
Kenya consumes about 75 million bags of maize every year, but lower production in several food-producing areas is expected to leave the country with a deficit of nearly 25 million bags.
Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe said the government was implementing measures to support farmers affected by dry conditions, prevent food shortages and keep prices of essential commodities stable.
The CS said maize imports will form part of the measures being used to protect food supplies, with the government looking to countries within the COMESA region for additional stocks.
The authorities said the identified counties had been prioritised in emergency response planning according to their exposure to different risks associated with El Niño
A total of 133,484 registered households in Mandera, Wajir, Turkana, Marsabit, Garissa, Isiolo, Samburu and Tana River are set to benefit from the latest payout.