Drought Report: Pastoralists Communities To Engage In Farming As Millions At Risk Of Starvation

ISIOLO,Kenya, Feb, 14 – The story of dried up earth due to the scorching sun in the Northern part of Kenya can not be over emphasized with the wether man predicting even tougher times ahead due to significantly reduced rainfall in many parts of the Horn of Africa over the next few months. 

World bodies like the Food and Agriculture Organisation have warned of a food crisis which will significantly affect communities living in drylands. 

Despite the glaring challenges, efforts in other parts of the dry North to practice irrigation is creating economic opportunities whilst also keeping hunger at bay.

The prolonged dry spell in Wajir has left communities suffering water and pasture shortages as a result, scores are forced to migrate from their homes in search of this priceless commodity on a daily basis.

It is a life they have been forced to live if they are to combat the challenges brought on to them by the biting drought.

The scorching sun, is not helping the situation and slows down the pace of man and his animals as they traverse what now seems like a desert in search of a lifeline.

The road they take is littered with carcasses, a familiar sight in this part of the country, a painful reminder of what the future holds for them should they fail to find food and water. 

But they hold on to hope, that the skies will once again open up with the blessing of rain and spare them a tragic end.

The path has become a scavengers paradise,with animals dropping dead frequently. To them,food is in plenty.

For this old man, the desperation to save his flock of sheep has pushed him to the edge. Left with no other choice,cardboard paper is what the animals eat now.

For the last two years, Wajir, and the rest of Northern Kenya, has suffered failed rains leaving the locals at the mercy of well wishers as water sources and pasture dry up.

The United Nations has warned of a worsening food situation in the entire Horn of Africa region, threatening the lives of 13 million people across the region and also putting peace and security at risk.

In Isiolo’s kiwanja area, dried maize stalks sway with the wind, residents say that the crop was recently harvested in one part of the farm while in the other, the remaining crop is yet to be harvested.

The community here has ventured into farming, to supplement pastoralism

“Members of the Turkana community have been living a very difficult life, our livestock are dying but now we realize that we can not rely on them alone. We want to be like other communities that engage in farming and business. We were in Ngaremara ward have decided to venture into farming,”Said Francisca Naiseku, president Kiwanjani,Isiolo,County.

The community here has embraced crop farming via irrigation with grains, vegetables and fruit doing well despite the harsh conditions that many parts of the Horn of Africa face.

In other parts of the country, for affected farmers, the failed season means no food, no income for food, and no seed to plant in the next season.

Those depending on farm labour to survive, are also left empty handed.

“Ngaremara is an area where water has been a problem. people used to trek some distances in search of water for domestic use. also their livestock would trek long distances to get drinking water,” said Geoffrey Manene, Water Engineer,Isiolo.

A joint effort between the county government of isiolo and the world vision, water harvesting has become a key part of life here, with piped water reaching farms in this part of the country to enable communities become self sufficient.

“With the development of boreholes through the assistance of partners, people are now getting clean water for their use, which has also enhanced their health by eradication of diseases,” said Manene.

“As farmer we get all our food from here, we are thankful the county government taught us how to plant various crops,”said Naiseku.

“The supply for resources is really low and demand is still very high. It results in internal conflicts whereby communities have been fighting for the available resources, like water , pasture, amongst themselves,” said Mercy Kieni, Water Engineer – World Vision.

The effect of climate change on the globe has pushed communities to the wall and whilst others have folded under the pressure, many have chosen to stay alive using newer systems of economic empowerment.

“Some of the older people have accepted farming though others are still resistant, they say they are pastoralists for ages and that is farming to them. We as mothers have however accepted to do farming in order to support our children,” said Naiseku.

“The journey has not been easy. but with the goodwill of the community, and partners, the project has achieved success for the communities of turkana and their children,” said Kieni.

FAO in their latest report shows that the ongoing drought in the Horn of Africa is widespread, triggering a regional humanitarian crisis with food insecurity skyrocketing, particularly among livestock-owning communities, and devastating livelihoods.

The number of people facing severe food insecurity has more than doubled in the last six months in Kenya to 2.7 million.