Food insecurity in Kenya

The early warning system estimates that between October last year and May, between 2.5 and 2.99 million people will need food assistance. Food shortages are expected to peak in February, before the onset of the prolonged rains from March to May. The food crisis is expected to last at least until May, particularly in pastoral areas of Turkana, Marsabit and Garissa districts. This is largely due to the short, below-average rainfall between October and December. Food insecurity is a major problem in Kenya, affecting millions of people.     Millions of Kenyans are affected by food insecurity, although estimates vary by source and period.  For example, a 2023 Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) report found that more than 5.4 million people were acutely food insecure between March and June this year. The causes are always the same. Climate change, or droughts, floods and unpredictable weather conditions, are affecting agricultural production and livelihoods. It plays a major role here. Many Kenyans live in poverty and do not have the economic means to have consistent access to sufficient and nutritious food. Conflicts and natural disasters can displace people from their homes and affect food production and distribution. Unequal access to resources, including land and water, can exacerbate food insecurity, especially for marginalized groups. Rising food prices, economic crises and job losses can reduce people's ability to acquire food. The consequences of these problems listed above are that food insecurity can lead to malnutrition, especially among children, with serious consequences for their physical and cognitive development. Malnutrition can then weaken the immune system and make people more susceptible to disease. All of this is related to the so-called poverty trap, because... Food insecurity can trap people in a cycle of poverty, as they may be forced to sell assets or borrow money to buy food, further depleting their resources. Food shortages and high food prices can lead to social unrest and instability.