Meru (North) County Long Rains Food Security Assessment Report 29 Th July to 2 Nd August 2013

MERU (NORTH) COUNTY LONG RAINS FOOD SECURITY ASSESSMENT REPORT 29 TH JULY TO 2 ND AUGUST 2013

Assessment Team Saiyana Lembara - NDMA, Nairobi Dr. Joseph K. Mathooko - FAO, Technical CSG - Meru County

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1.0 INTRODUCTION ...... 1 1.1 Background Information ...... 1 1.2 Current Relief Operations ...... 1 1.3 Food Security Trends ...... 1 1.4 Current Factors Affecting Food Security ...... 2 1.5 Summary of Recommendations ...... 2 2.0 COUNTY FOOD SECURITY SITUATION ...... 2 2.1 Current Food Security Situation ...... 2 2.2 Rainfall Performance ...... 3 2.3 Other Shocks and Hazards ...... 3 3.0 IMPACTS OF SHOCKS AND HAZARDS ...... 3 3.1 Crop Production ...... 3 3.2 Livestock Production ...... 5 3.3 Water and Sanitation ...... 6 3.4 Markets and Trade ...... 7 3.5 Health and Nutrition...... 8 3.6 Education ...... 9 3.7 Coping Mechanisms ...... 10 3.8 Food Security Prognosis...... 10 3.9 Ongoing Interventions ...... 10 3.10 Divisional Food Security Ranking ...... 12 4.0 RECOMMENDATIONS ...... 12 4.1 Non Food Interventions ...... 13

1.0 INTRODUCTION 1.1 Background Information The former Meru North District is comprised of Igembe North, Igembe South, Tigania East, and Tigania West sub-counties. Collectively, these sub-counties form part of the larger Meru County in Eastern Region. It is classified as a semi-arid district since 65 percent of its total land area exhibits climatic conditions similar to those found in the Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASALs) areas. It lies in a transition zone between the arid Isiolo and Garbatulla districts to the north and the medium potential Buuri and Imenti North districts in the Marginal Rainfed Mixed Cropping west. The district also borders Tharaka Farming, , 23% district to the South, and Tseikuru and 27% Tana River districts to the southeast. Climatic conditions range from arid in Mixed areas bordering Isiolo and Garbatulla Farming districts to highland areas in the central (Tea/Dairy ), 50% regions around the Nyambene ranges. Meru North occupies an area of 4,057 square kilometres with a population of Figure 1: Population by Livelihood 775,982 persons (KNBS, 2009) . The population distribution by livelihood zone in the District is as shown in figure one above. Rainfall pattern is bimodal with long rains season received from mid-March to May while short rains are received from mid-October to late December. The latter is the most reliable season and is commonly referred to as the ‘Long rains’. Annual rainfall amounts range from 380 mm in the low lying areas towards Isiolo County to 2500 mm in the higher areas. Altitude ranges from 600 meters to 2,145 meters above sea level. The low-lying parts of Meru North, which cover close to three-quarters of total area have Agro pastoral livelihood, are designated as the Northern Grazing Areas (NGA) and are characterized by low and erratic rainfall patterns.

1.2 Current Relief Operations Currently, the County is not under any form of relief operation, however, the district has been receiving non-food interventions from partners and other stakeholders who include: AphiaPlus KAMILI (reproductive health), Diocese of Meru (Integrated Management of Acute Malnutrition) and resilience activities, UNOCHA (flood mitigation and response), and NDMA/KRDP (DRR initiatives).

1.3 Food Security Trends Currently, all the livelihoods are classified under Integrated Phase Classification (IPC) phase one (No acute food insecurity). The agro pastoral livelihood zone where rainfall performance was poor is however likely to move to Phase two (stressed phase), in the event that the long rains rainfall doesn’t perform well. The performance of the 2012 long rains was good in Meru North which improved the conditions across all the livelihoods. Despite this significant improvements, the erratic performance of the March April May (short rains) rains lead to low production in the agro pastoral whereas production in the other livelihoods remained good. There are food stocks for most of the households and the amounts held by the households are above normal except in Igembe South where crops were destroyed by flooding and amounts held are below normal. This situation is expected to improve with the onset of the rain season of long rains. Livestock body condition is good for all the livestock species across the livelihoods. In the agro pastoral livelihood, the body condition may begin to deteriorate in the next one month as a result of the depleting pasture conditions, while in other livelihoods this condition will be sustained up to the next rain season.

1.4 Current Factors Affecting Food Security • Livestock diseases including Foot and mouth disease (FMD), black quarter and New Castle Disease (NCD) in poultry • Heightened cattle rustling and banditry especially in the Northern Grazing Area • Poor temporal distribution and early cessation of the 2013 long rains season • Reduced yield as a result of flooding that occurred during the season in some parts of Meru North

1.5 Summary of Recommendations 1.5.1 Food Interventions Introduction of school feeding program for schools situated in the Agro Pastoral livelihood zone to enhance enrolment and retention of school going children

1.5.2 Non-Food – Short Term Measures • Urgent rehabilitation of water pans in the Agro-pastoral livelihood zone before the onset of the long rains to minimize watering distances and reduce pressure on the few existing boreholes and shallow wells • Provision of aqua tabs for water treatment at household level • Water tinkering to institutions in the lower agro pastoral zone • Conflict management and Strengthen community policing especially in bandit prone areas • Disease surveillance and vaccination in the all sub-counties for both human and livestock • Relief (drought tolerant) seeds for farming families in the rainfed and agro-pastoral zones.

1.5.3 Non-Food – Long Term Measures • Promotion of pasture and fodder management practices • Enhance access to livestock extension services • Support to water harvesting techniques and opening up strategic water sources. • Establish and strengthen water resource user associations. • Promote adoption of drought tolerant crops and access to farm inputs • Support irrigation to supplement food production. • Promote hygiene and sanitation practices • Support school feeding program in schools located within marginal areas.

2.0 COUNTY FOOD SECURITY SITUATION 2.1 Current Food Security Situation The IPC phase classification is Phase one but the situation in Agro Pastoral is likely to worsen. Currently the livestock body condition ranged from good to fair across the livelihood zones. Livestock body conditions remained good in all livelihood zones despite noted deteriorations in pasture and browse conditions. However the conditions are likely to deteriorate one a month’s time. Cattle rustling has significantly affected livestock sector in the agro pastoral zone. Current presence of suspected FMD and the likelihood of more diseases from expected in-migrations into the agro pastoral zone are likely to worsen the situation in the sector. Distances to water sources for livestock are within normal ranges of 6- 10 Km. Proportion of children under five at risk of malnutrition has also worsened from 14 percent in March to 21 percent in June but registers marginal improvement to 16 percent in month of July 2013 which is slightly below the LTA of 17.2 percent. Crude Mortality Rates (CMR) is 0.48/10,000/day while under five mortality rate is 0.24/10,000/day. From the latest Health and nutrition smart survey, prevalence of stunting stands at 45.7 percent and that of under weights stands at 19.6 percent. This indicates a situation of concern that needs an integrated approach.

2.2 Rainfall Performance The overall performance of the long rains was poor compared to 2012 short rains season. While the onset was timely, during the second dekad, amounts received indicated a false start of the season as only two rain days were reported across all livelihood zones in the dekads. However subsequent dekads were characterized by above normal rains with good spatial and temporal distribution. Despite the above normal rains, cessation was exceptionally early during the third dekad of April. This was reported across all livelihood zones. The Agro Pastoral livelihood zone received 50-80 percent of Figure 2: Rainfall Estimates March - July 20013 normal rains, while the rest of the livelihood zones received over 100-300 percent of normal rains. However despite the amounts, the temporal distribution was poor across the livelihoods .

2.3 Other Shocks and Hazards Cattle rustling and banditry in the agro pastoral livelihood zones has led to farms and grazing lands being abandoned (in Mutuati, Laare, Kangeta, Karama and Muthaara divisions).

3.0 IMPACTS OF SHOCKS AND HAZARDS 3.1 Crop Production Normally the long rains in Meru North are less important for crop production compared to the short rains. During the 2013 short rains, pulses formed the bulk of the crops planted in the gro-pastoral and the rainfed zones. The main crops grown were pulses, pigeon peas, cow peas, green grams and beans which are grown for both cash and food. Generally, the food security situation during the 2013 short rains is fair compared to the 2012 long rains. Despite the crop yields in the agro pastoral, rainfed zones and the mixed farming zones of the district being low, the performance of the pulses was relatively better compared to the 2012 long rains, but still below the long term average. The current food stock at household level is expected to deteriorate fast, following increasing disposal of the last season stocks to meet other financial obligations.

3.1.1 Rainfed Crop Production Table 1 Rainfed Crop Production Area Planted (Ha) Production (90 Kg Bags) Crop Achieved Long Term Average Achieved Long Term Average Maize 24,347 26,600 693,950 829,225 Beans 32,391 32,207 339,645 397,487 Pigeon Peas 7,607 6,709 144,136 154,260

The major crops grown in the season across the four sub counties were Maize, Beans and Pigeon peas. The area planted with maize in the season slightly reduced by about eight percent while area under pigeon peas increased by 13 percent. The area under beans remained fairly the same. The increase in the area under pigeon peas can be attributed to the government intervention in promotion traditional high value crops among them pigeon peas.

The production in the season however reduced for the crops compared to the long term average production for short rains season. Maize production reduced by 16 percent, beans by 15 percent and pigeon peas by 7 percent. The reduction in yield can be attributed to flooding that was experienced in mixed farming livelihood and also erratic rainfall and early cessation especially in Igembe South sub county.

3.1.2 Irrigated Crop Production The major crops grown under irrigation are tomatoes which are common across all the four sub counties. Others include paw paws and bananas in Igembe North, kales and cabbages in in Igembe south and kales and onions in Tigania East and Tigania West.

The area planted under tomatoes increased by seven percent while the total production increased by about 37 percent across the four sub counties. This improvement is attributed to the continued use of high quality seeds for most horticultural crops and availability of water for irrigation during the same period. Area under kales reduced by 16 percent however production increased by 13 percent. This can be attributed to more production per unit area resulting from the water availability and use of better seeds. Area under onion growing remained the same but the production reduced by 30 percent attributed to destruction of the crop by the above normal rainfall received in the midseason.

3.1.3 Maize Stocks The maize socks held in the four sub counties were higher than the long term average the same time in the year. The current amount in 90 kilograms bag was 171,078 bags compared to 134,917 bags, higher by 27 percent as shown in table 2 below.

Table 2 Maize Stocks Compared to Long Term Averages Quantities of maize Long Term Average Stocks held Maize Stocks Held By held (90 Kg bags) (90 Kg bags) House Holds 130,394 78,844 Traders 35,719 43,673 Millers 0 0 NCPB 4,955 12,400 Total 171,068 134,917 Most of the stocks were held at the household level, and this is attributed to the good harvest that was achieved in the long rains rainfall season of 2012. Most farmers have also held their stocks and are not selling to traders for speculation of better prices in future.

The was also a challenge during the 2013 long rains crop since the National Cereals and Produce Board did not purchase maize from farmer. In Igembe south, the stocks held by the household are lower that the long term average by 34 percent. This is attributed to flooding that occurred in the area destroying crops. Food stocks in Igembe South where there is a shortfall in relation to LTA are expected to last for about a month while in a normal season they would last for about three months. For all the other sub counties, stocks held are expected to last for between three to four months.

3.2 Livestock Production The major livestock kept in the county includes Cattle, Sheep, goats and poultry. Within the Agro Pastoral (agro Pastoral) and Mixed Farming Livelihoods, livestock contributes to 30 percent of the household income in each while in the rain fed cropping zone it contributes to between 8-15 percent of the household income.

3.2.1 Forage Condition Pasture and browse conditions in the agro pastoral zone range from fair to poor while in all the other livelihood zones pasture and browse conditions are good and normal. In the Agro pastoral livelihood, the fair to poor conditions is as a result of the erratic rainfall received. For the other areas the regeneration was good a situation that was sustained by subsequent above normal rainfall that was received at the middle of the season. Nevertheless the early cessation of the rains resulted to water deficiency to the pastures earlier than normal a situation whose sustainability will be dependent of the onset of the long rains rain season. With the prevailing dry conditions, high numbers of livestock held in the grazing areas, and absence of farm by- products to supplement pastures, current pastures and browse are expected to only last for one month. Further, the agro pastoral zone grazing areas bordering Isiolo, Samburu and Tharaka are inaccessible due to ethnic conflicts and insecurity thus increasing concentration of animals in other areas where pastures are available. Cattle rustling and banditry in Mutuati, Laare, Kangeta, Karama, and Muthara divisions of the Agro-pastoral livelihood zone have significantly hampered access to the vast grazing areas in these divisions. Due to the inaccessibility to the close by grazing areas as a result of the insecurity and rustling, livestock has already moved to the dry season grazing areas of Kinna, Magado and Chumviere which is not normal at this time of the year.

3.2.2 Livestock Body Condition Livestock body conditions remained good across all livelihood zones as a result of availability of high dry matter content in the available pastures. The condition is however changing differently across the livelihoods. In the agro pastoral livelihood where there was challenge of rainfall performance where pasture conditions are fair or poor, the body condition is worsening faster than usual.

3.2.3 Livestock Productivity Birth Rates There was a decline in birth rates by about 50 percent, which is normal at this time of the year. It is expected that most calving for cattle and the second kidding/lambing for sheep and goats will take place from September through November after the 2013 long rains season.

Milk Availability and Consumption Milk availability is on a downward trend as pastures decline and watering distances increase. Currently, milk availability is normal at 3 litres, 5 litres, and 6 litres in the Agro-pastoral, Rain-fed cropping, and mixed farming livelihood zones respectively. Milk consumption is also low across all livelihood zones. Both availability and consumption are likely to decline further in the coming months.

3.2.4 Water for Livestock Current water sources for livestock are boreholes and rivers. Kalau water pan is the only water pan in the district supplying water to livestock. Siltation and destruction of the inlet channels led to other water pans not holding water from the 2013 long rains.

With poor performance of the previous season and erratic performance of the current season, there is declining river volumes and pressure on the available watering facilities which is a possible cause of conflicts especially if there are any breakdowns of the boreholes. This is not normal and the situation is expected to get worse in the coming three months particularly in the Agro-pastoral livelihood zone. As a result, watering intervals have increased to two days for all species. Trekking distances from grazing areas are ranging from 15-20 Km in the Agro-pastoral livelihood zone to 4 Km in the Rain-fed cropping livelihood zone. The current distances in the agro-pastoral zones are above the long term average of 8 Km.

3.2.5 Migration, Livestock Diseases and Mortality Livestock migrations within the district have taken place in the agro-pastoral LZs especially in areas where normal grazing lands near homesteads are affected by insecurity and livestock rustling, thus forcing the livestock keepers to move to strategic and secure grazing areas. No in-migration except for the camels which came in during 2012 dry spell and have not yet left if the current dry conditions persist. Livestock diseases reported are Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) for cattle, Newcastle in poultry and CCPP in goats. No significant mortalities have been reported except for poultry due to new castle that are being handled by individual farmers. Vaccinations for black quarter and anthrax took place in the month of May 2013 done by the Veterinary Department and disease surveillance is ongoing.

3.3 Water and Sanitation The main water sources for bot livestock and domestic consumption across the four sub- counties include; piped water, rivers, springs, streams, boreholes and earth pans/dams. The major (permanent) rivers in the district are Mboone, Bwathonaro, Luuria, Likiundu, Wasomata, Kiombe, Kuuru, Thanantu, Liutu, Kiandiu, Thangatha, Majira, Lukunu, Muringa, Urra, Kindani, Kanjoo, Ruujirweru, MakutanoNkanka, Murara, Bisinadi, Kathithi. Most of the rivers flow into the tana catchment and few flow to Ewaso ng’iro catchment. All areas whose major water sources include rivers, natural springs, piped water, springs and boreholes have water in the four sub counties except dams and water pans that are dry. Notably most shallow wells, water pans and dams are dry hence currently not serving as major water sources. In Tigania East Sub County, the major water sources are rivers unlike the normal shallow wells at this time of the year. Water source for the other areas have remained normal.

3.3.1 Distances Average distances to water points for domestic uses in the mixed farming, rainfed and agro pastoral zone range from 0.5-1, 2-4, and 6 – 10 Km respectively. These distances are within the normal ranges. The current sources of livestock water are boreholes, springs and rivers. The water pans in the agro-pastoral areas collected little water and have since dried up except Kalau which has little water which can last for one month However; pastoralists have taken their animals to grazing areas near the alternative watering points particularly boreholes to shorten the distances from the grazing areas to the watering points.

The average livestock trekking distances from grazing area to watering points are currently at 8 Km compared to a normal of 6.6 Km. The long distances have made the pastoralists to decrease the watering frequency for all livestock more so in the Agro-pastoral livelihood zone. The frequency of watering currently is two days unlike the normal time of daily watering in the agro pastoral zone. In the other livelihoods, watering distance is normal on a daily basis for all livestock species.

3.3.2 Waiting Time This is between five minutes in mixed farming livelihood zone, 10 minutes in the rain fed livelihood zone and 20-45 minutes in the agro-pastoral livelihood zone which is normal.

3.3.3 Cost and Consumption The cost of water per 20 liter Jerri can is Ksh. 2 - 5 at the source across the livelihood zones. In the Agro-pastoral livelihood zones vendors are the main source of water and the cost is Kshs. 30-40. There is no cost in the mixed farming livelihood zone. In the mixed faming livelihood zone consumption is at 50 litres per day per person, in the rain fed its 25 litres and eight litres in Agro-pastoral livelihood zones.

3.4 Markets and Trade The main markets in the district are Mikinduri, Kangeta, Kianjai, Maua, Muthara, Mulika, Laare, Kamiruru, Mutuati and Ngundune. Isiolo town also serves as a major market to most households in the agro pastoral livelihood zones bordering Isiolo County. Kina market in Isiolo County also serves as a supplier of livestock especially sheep and goats to local markets.

All the markets that serve the area have been operating normally, and the situation is expected to prevail throughout the year. Main suppliers of the markets during the season were households and traders. Most of the commodities sold are from local productions except a few imports from the neighboring districts such as potatoes from Nanyuki and green grams from Katithine market in Tharaka.

3.4.1 Market Prices The maize prices remained relatively lower during the season compared to the same time last year. The current prices are also lower than the long term average prices. This situation is common across all the livelihood zones. The reduced prices across the livelihoods are attributed to the good Figu re 3: Comparative Maize Prices harvest realized during the 2012 long rains season. The traded volume of maize is also low and there is a high number of maize still held by the households.

The prices are however expected to increase in the next one to two months following the poor performance of the 2013 short rains season as available stocks continue to be depleted and demand from the household and traders increase.

Goat Prices Goat prices were above lont term average the entire year similar to those of cattle indicating the same trends in the livestock sector. Although there were market interferences through sale of goats from neighboring Isiolo district, locals goats still fetched better prices due to their good body conditions. Despite the prospect of poor harvests this season, prices are Figure 4: Comparative Goats' Prices likely to remain high over the coming months. Terms of Trade Currently the Terms of Trade for livestock keepers are good. Sale of one goat is able to buy 224 Kg of maize. The current terms of trade are above the long term average and are expected to remain good in all the livelihoods until the next rain season. However the situation may worsen faster in the agro pastoral livelihood, where rainfall performance was poor and browse condition are depleting hence the body condition may worsen and subsequently reduced prices. The price of maize is also likely to go up in the next one month, following poor harvests for the short rains season.

3.5 Health and Nutrition 3.5.1 Morbidity and Mortality Patterns Most common diseases in the district in the general population are malaria, upper respiratory tract infections (URTI), skin diseases, diarrhea and dental disorders. Most common diseases among under-fives that is diarrhea and malaria increased from 21.9 percent and 11.3 percent in 2012 to 37.1 percent and 21.6 percent respectively however, URTI decreased from 50 percent in 2012 to 46.6 percent in 2013. Data for Crude Mortality Rate (CMR) and under Five Mortality Rate (U5MR) was 0.2 per 10,000 persons per day and 0.44 per 10,000 persons per day respectively in the month of January to June 2013 a slight decrease when compared to same period in 2012 where CDR and U5MR was 0.24 per 10,000 persons per day and 0.48 per 10,000 persons per day (SMART survey, June 2013).

3.5.2 Immunization and Vitamin A Supplementation Immunization coverage for Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV) 1, OPV3 and Measles was 59.8 percent, 64.9 percent and 55 percent in the month of June, 2013 an improvement as compared to 49.8 percent, 51.6 percent and 42.9 percent in 2012 same period. Vitamin A supplementation for children 6-11 months, 12-59 months (once) and (twice) was 54.8 percent, 79.3 percent and 35.9 percent respectively. Both immunization and vitamin A supplementation coverage are below the national thresholds of 80% and above.

3.5.3 Nutrition Status and Dietary Diversity Meal frequency in mixed farming and rain-fed livelihood zones was three meals per day; however in agro-pastoral livelihood households consumed one to two meals in a day (WFP FSOM May, 2013). The prevalence of Global Acute Malnutrition (GAM) based on weight for height among children six to 59 months was 5.5 percent in June 2013, an improvement compared to 7.8 percent in May 2012 (SMART survey, June 2013). Children under five years at risk of malnutrition based on Mid Upper Arm Circumference (MUAC) less than 135mm was 16.4 percent in May, 2013 a decrease from 20 percent in June 2012; and above the long term mean (LTM) of 7.1 percent, see figure six below. Low crop harvest was experienced in most parts of the district and might reflect the reduced meals per day. Causes of malnutrition was attributed to inadequate food intake, poor infant and young child feeding practices, poor health seeking behaviors and low diet diversity. Poor Figure 5: Percentage of children at risk of Malnutrition in Meru North coverage in both immunization and vitamin A supplementation was attributed to lack of outreaches especially in areas where distance to the health facility was more than five Kilometers.

3.6 Education 3.6.1 Enrolment Meru North district has a total of three hundred and forty five (345) public primary schools with a total of 182,558 pupils enrolled, of whom 93,938 are girls and 88,620 are boys. Enrollment rates still remained high as indicated across all the sub counties except in Igembe North.

3.6.2 Dropout Rates Dropout rates are still high despite the bumper harvest of 2012 short rains. The dropout rate in Igembe North district for instance stood at an average of 6.6 percent. In addition, dropout rate for boys remained higher than those of girls. Majority of the boys were involved in petty trading particularly dealing in khat (Catha endulis ). Majority of girls who drop out of school get married, become single parents, or seek casual employment.

3.6.3 Transition The high rate of school dropout particularly at primary level has significantly lowered transition to secondary schools. Transition from ECD to primary level however has remained unchanged. An average 90% of pupils who attend ECD classes’ do transit to primary school. Low transition from primary to secondary is mainly attributed to unstable homes, early marriages and pregnancies, the allure of quick money from Khat (Catha endulis ) business, and lack of school fees.

3.6.4 School Meal Program Currently, there is no school under the School Meals Program in all livelihood zones. Schools in the district normally rely on normal GOK relief assistance which is meant for the general population. Respective DSGs allocate an amount to be distributed to schools and special institutions particularly in the Agro-pastoral livelihood zone. However this is never adequate. Since January 2013, the district has not received any GOK relief and subsequently, no school has received any assistance.

3.7 Coping Mechanisms Currently, households are not employing serious coping mechanisms save for the normal storage and wise use of strategic reserves from the 2012 long rains. However these strategic reserves are estimated to last only one month particularly in the Agro-pastoral livelihood zone when the household may start employing coping mechanisms.

3.8 Food Security Prognosis General food security situation in the district is stable following the harvests achieved in the 2012 long rains season of which most are still being held by the households. Speedy disposal of farm produce from the 2012 long rains and the dismal performance of the current long rains except in the mixed farming zone are however some of the shocks that are likely to affect the food security situation. Current food stocks held in the Agro-pastoral and Rain-fed cropping livelihood zone, majority of which are from the long rains season, are expected to last for up to one month . Expected production of both cereals and pulses has declined by 75 percent and 35 percent respectively and will not be adequate to meet the district’s food requirements noting that the next harvests are expected in January/February 2014. Although prices of food commodities had declined at the start of the season to levels below the LTAs mainly due to increased supply in the markets, sharp increases have been noted towards the end fueled by declining stocks and the realization of insignificant harvests. Livestock body conditions are good in all livelihood zones but are likely to deteriorate in the next one month as pastures and browse conditions deteriorate. Further, distances to grazing and watering points are likely to increase as 90 percent of water pans are already dry and river volumes have reduced significantly.

3.9 Ongoing Interventions Table 3: Ongoing Interventions Impacts on Food Cost District Intervention Location No Bens Implementers Time Frame Security (Ksh) Agriculture MOA , NDMA Improved HH Agropastoral and All Promotion of THVCs) 12,600 EU/World Bank food security & 5M Ongoing Rainfed zones Caritas incomes Aflatoxin surveillance Ongoing MOA Decreased post & post harvest All 16,500 0.2M Caritas harvest losses Igembe management North Greenhouse &Drip MOA Improved HH Ongoing District wide 1,000 2M Irrigation Technology Caritas incomes Youth in M odern Ongoing Igembe District wide 650 MOA 3.3M North Agriculture and Construction of small JICA / MOA Improve food Kiguru, Giika 900Hh 120M 2years South scale irrigation schemes /DIO and NIB security Tigania Water harvesting Mituntu / Mumui 3,000 MOA Excava tion 2.5M Ongoing

Impacts on Food Cost District Intervention Location No Bens Implementers Time Frame Security (Ksh) West reservoir Stage Igembe Greenhouse &Drip Igembe N orth Improved food 1,000 MOA, Caritas 2M Ongoing North Irrigation Technology security Tigania Water harvesting for Improved food Tigania West 3,000 MOA 2.5M Ongoing West food security(Waterpan) security Livestock Igembe Improved Vaccinations All All DVO/KVA 0.4M Complete South productivity Igembe Promotion & Upgrading Improved All All DLPO 0.5M Complete North of dairy goats productivity Water Rehabilitation of water Njia, Akachiu KRC, NDMA, Improved food 9,000 4.7M 5 months facilities/points Kangeta and MOW security Drilling and equipping Kiengu , Mariaara 13,500 85% Igembe of borehole,pipeline ext Kianjai, Akithi South Provision of Pipeline extentions for Government clean drinking Kaanjo 1,500 95% Mangala bore hole water Water pan Lairang’i 2,500 Complete Health Disease surveillance , Reduced All immunization, creation All All MOH 4.4M Ongoing morbidity of community Units

3.9.1 Recommended Interventions (from SRA 2013) No. of Cost in Division Intervention Location Implementers Remarks beneficiaries Ksh Agriculture Aflatoxin Surveillance and MOA All All 16,500 0.2M Ongoing post harvest Management Caritas Livestock All Livestock MOLD and Vaccination campaigns All 25% keepers partners Sensitization on Fodder All Livestock conservation and All DLPO 25% All keepers management DLPO/DVO, Enhanced Security to curd All Livestock NGA OOP, and cattle rustling keepers partners Water Muutine, Baibariu, Drilling and rehabilitation Kaelo, Kiguru, 800 Government 7.5M 6 Months borehole Thaichu, TumuTumu Igembe South Desilting water pan NGA 10,000 cattle GOK 15 M 6 months All in NGA and Water Bowser 20,000 GOK 5 M 3 months institutions

3.10 Divisional Food Security Ranking Below is the ranking of the 15 divisions based on their current food security status, with one indicating the most food secure division, and 15 being the least food secure. Moisture stress affected production across all divisions; other additional factors are listed in table three below.

Table 4: Food Security Ranking District Division Rank Food Security Threat Small pieces of land due to subdivision and cash Maua 1 crop – tea Kangeta 11 Insecurity (banditry) Quick disposal of food crops, cross border land Kanuni 2 Igembe disputes South Small pieces of land due to subdivision and cash Akachiu 8 crop – tea, poor management of short rains harvests Kiengu 3 Khat ,poor management of short rains harvests Athiru Gaiti 5 Khat growing in food crop farms Mutuati 15 Khat growing in food crop farms Igembe Laare 9 Insecurity, Khat growing in food crop farms North poor management of short rains harvests, human Ndoleli 10 wildlife conflicts Tigania Central 6 Poor management of short rains harvests Tigania Tigania East 4 Poor management of short rains harvests East Tigania North 14 Poor management of short rains harvests Uringu 7 Poor management of short rains harvests Tigania Akithi 13 Poor management of short rains harvests West Mituntu 12 Poor management of short rains harvests

4.0 RECOMMENDATIONS The district is currently food secure and no food interventions are therefore required. However, there is need to monitor performance of the short rains and conflict hot spots as these will have impact on food security. In addition, is need for stakeholders to intervene in implementing various non food interventions as shown in table 5 below.

4.1 Non Food Interventions Table 5: Recommended Non-Food Interventions No. of Proposed Resources Available Time Division Intervention Location Bens Implementers Needed Resources Frame Agriculture Igembe Akirangondu , MOA/MO Water pan 5,000 3M Nil 2yrs North Kabachi W MOA , Agropastoral and 10,000 All THVC Seeds DMA, 2M Nil Sept 2014 Rainfed zones hh KARI Livestock Igembe Fodder conservation and Fuel Aug - Nov All All DLPO/DVO Nil South disease control Funds 2014 Dairy goat keeping All 120 DLPO 1.5 M Nil June 2014 Igembe Poultry improvement All 180 DLPO 0.8M Nil June 2014 North Bull S cheme Laare 200 DLPO 0.8M Nil June 2014 Water Drilling, equipping and Muutine, rehabilitation Baibariu, Kaelo, brokendown boreholes 800hh Government 12.5M Nil 6 Months Kiguru, Thaichu, and continuous servicing TumuTumu of existing ones Meru Technical North Rehabilitation and de- Staff (animals) silting of at least 3 NGA Government 7.0M Field vehicle 6 months 10,000 existing water pans Design drawings Repair of water bowser All 20,000 Government 1M Personnel 3 months provide