March 2024 1. Drought Situation Overview All the 23 ASAL counties continues to register stable drought situation where Normal phase based on the range of environmental, production, access and utilization indicators monitored that fell within their usual ranges is registered across the counties.The onset of the long rains 2024 season has been predicted to be characterised by enhanced rains, in some areas with associated flood risks. Floods and other enhanced rains risks is likely to continue undermining drought recovery at household level.Generally, the drought situation is expected to continue in normal phase across the 23 ASAL counties as Fig 1: Drought Phase Classification, March 2023 the wet season sets in. According to last food security assessment, Short Rains Assessment (SRA) 2023, number of people in need of assistance stands at 1.9 million Acute malnutrition has also been noted across the counties with 847,932 children aged 6 to 59 months and 124,359 pregnant and breastfeeding mothers are currently malnourished acutely in need of treatment. Figure 1.0 shows drought phase classification for the month of March 2023. 1.1 Observed drought indicators 1.1.1 March 2024 Rainfall Performance The analysis of the March 2024 monthly rainfall performance indicates that early onset of MAM 2024 long rains in some counties especially southern counties. Pastoral North East counties including; Mandera, Wajir, Isiolo, Tana River, Garissa received high amounts of rainfall ranging between 0mm to 125mm. Pastoral North west counties including Turkana, Marsabit and Samburu recorded trace amounts of rainfall. The South East Marginal Agriculture counties including; Tharaka Nithi, Embu, Kajiado, Meru, Makueni, Kitui counties reported early rainfall onset, received rainfall amounts ranging between Figure 2. March 2024 Rainfall Performance 78mm to 200mm. Similar situation was noted with Agro Pastoral cluster including Kajiado, Laikipia, Narok, Baringo, Nyeri and West Pokot received considerable good rainfall amounts. The Coast Marginal Agriculture counties including Kwale, Kilifi, Taita Taveta and Lamu received highest amounts of rainfall with some parts recording rainfall up to 288mm as shown figure 2.0. 1.1.2 April 2024 rainfall outlook Rainfall outlook for the month of April 2024 is illustrated in figure 3. Generally, Pastoral North East livelihood zone region (Isiolo, Mandera, Wajir, Tana River and Garissa; South East Marginal Agriculture including; Kitui, Makueni, Embu and Tharaka Nithi. Agro-Pastoral livelihood zones including; Kajiado, Narok, Nyeri, Laikipia; The coastal marginal agriculture counties includes; Taita Taveta, Kilifi, Lamu and Kwale counties; Pastoral North West (Turkana, Samburu and marsabit) counties are all forecasted to receive above average rainfall. Figure 3. April 2024 Rainfall forecast 1.2 Vegetation condition Figure 3 compares the vegetation condition index (VCI) in March 2024 with that of the previous month of February 2024. Generally, the vegetation condition in the month of March showed slight improvement from the month of February. February 2024 March 2024 Figure 3: Maps depicting improvement in Vegetation Conditions (VCIs) in March from February 2024 The month of March 2024 indicated improvement in vegetation condition across the Arid and Semi-Arid Counties (ASAL) when compared to the previous month of February 2024. Improvement in vegetation condition is due to the early onset of MAM 2024 long season. None of the counties recorded either extreme or severe or moderate vegetation deficit. OnlyWest Pokot recorded Normal vegetation greenness. The following twenty-two (22) counties including; Samburu, Laikipia, Kajiado, Kitui, Turkana, Tana River, Garissa and Kilifi, Baringo, Narok, Nyeri, Makueni, Embu, Tharaka Nithi, Meru, Isiolo, Marsabit, Wajir, Mandera, Taita Taveta, Lamu and Kwale recorded Above normal vegetation greenness. The current vegetation condition in February 2024 is better when compared to the previous month, February 2024 as shown in (Figure 3). A summary of the vegetation condition across ASAL counties as at end of March 2024 is provided in Figure 1. The situation for each county disaggregated by sub-county is provided in Table1. Table 1: Vegetation Condition Index (VCI), March 2024 Category County Sub Counties (No) Extreme (0) (0) Severe (0) (0) Moderate (0) (0) Normal (1) (6) vegetation West Pokot Baringo (South, Mogotio, Tiaty), Turkana (East) West Pokot greenness (Kacheliba, Sigor) Above (22) (107) normal Baringo, Embu, Embu (Manyatta, Mbeere North, Mbeere South, Runyenjes), Vegetation Garissa, Isiolo, Kajiado, Kajiado (Central, East, North, South, West), Kilifi (Ganze, greenness Kilifi, Kitui, Kwale, Kaloleni, North, South, Magarini, Malindi, Rabai), Kitui Laikipia, Lamu, (Central, East, Rural, South, West, Mwingi Central, Mwingi Makueni, Mandera, North, Mwingi West), Kwale (Kinango, Lunga, Matuga, Marsabit, Meru, Nyeri, Msambweni), Laikipia (East, North, West), Lamu (East, West), Samburu, Taita Taveta, Makueni, (Kaiti, Kibwezi East, Kibwezi West, Kilome, Tana River, Tharaka Makueni, Mbooni), Meru (Buuri, Central Imenti, Igembe Nithi, Wajir, Narok, Central, Igembe North, Igembe South, North Imenti, South Imenti, Tigania East, Tigania West) Turkana and West Nyeri (Kieni, Mathira, Mukurweini, Nyeri Town, Othaya, Pokot Tetu), Taita Taveta (Mwatate, Taveta, Voi, Wundanyi),Tharaka Natha (ChukaIgamba ngombe, Maara, Tharaka), West Pokot(Pokot South, Kapenguria), Narok (Emurua Dikirr, Kilgoris, East, North, South, West), Mandera (Lafey, North, Banissa, West, South, East), Marsabit (Laisamis, Moyale, North Horr, Saku), Samburu:( East, North, West),Tana River (Bura, Galole, Garsen), Turkana:( South, Central, North, Loima, West), Wajir (Tarbaj, North, South, West, Eldas, East), Baringo (Central, North, Ravine), Isiolo (North, South), Garissa (Balambala, Fafi, Lagdera, Ijara, Daadab, Township) 1.3 Livestock production 1.3.1 Pasture and browse condition Overall, forage conditions ranged from good to fair during the month of March. Pasture conditions were reported as good by 78 percent of the Asal counties, while 22 percent were fair. For browse, 78 percent of counties reported good conditions, with 22 percent reporting fair conditions, attributed to regeneration from early onset of MAM seasonal rainfall. Fair Pasture conditions were observed in counties including; Turkana, Samburu, West Pokot, Narok and Tana River mainly due to invasive species hindering natural regeneration and flooding that hindered grazing. Table 2.0: Pasture and Browse Condition, March 2024 Pasture Browse Turkana Wajir Turkana Narok West Pokot Lamu West Pokot Makueni Narok Narok Tana River Samburu Tana River Garissa Garissa Laikipia Wajir Mandera Laikipia Marsabit Mandera Meru Marsabit Makueni Meru Taita Taveta Baringo Kajiado Isiolo Kilifi Kajiado Embu Kilifi Nyeri Embu Baringo Nyeri Kitui Lamu Tharaka Nithi Kitui Kwale Tharaka Nithi 1.3.2 Livestock body condition Livestock body condition in the Asal Counties was generally stable, with about 70 percent reporting good condition and about 30 percent fair condition for cattle, while goat and sheep showed about 78 percent in good condition and about 22 percent in fair condition. The favorable trend was attributed to abundant pasture and accessible water sources within shorter distances. The observed livestock body condition in February was within the normal to above-normal range for the same period. Overall, livestock in the Asal Counties exhibited good body condition, driven by ample pasture and close water sources, with February conditions falling within the usual or above- normal range for the season. Table 3.0: Livestock Body Condition, March 2024 Cattle GoatsSheep Baringo, Embu Baringo, Embu Garissa, Isiolo Garissa, Isiolo Kajiado, Kilifi Kajiado, Kilifi Laikipia, Lamu Laikipia, Lamu Mandera, Makueni Mandera, Makueni Narok, Samburu Narok, Samburu West Pokot, Marsabit West Pokot, Marsabit Meru Meru Taita Taveta Taita Taveta Tana River Tana River Wajir, Nyeri Wajir, Nyeri Tharaka Nithi, Kitui Tharaka Nithi, Kitui Kwale, Embu Kwale, Embu 1.3.3 Milk production Milk production improved compared to the previous month of February. Majority of Arid counties reported above-average production due to improving Tropical Livestock Units (TLU occasion by early onset of MAM long rains season. Among the sampled households, Samburu County recorded the lowest average milk production of 0.5 liters among Arid counties, while Tharaka Nithi county reported the lowest average milk production of 0.5 liters among semi-arid counties during the reviewed period. The low milk production is as result of low tropical units among the households as result of previous drought events that led to livestock mortality. Table 4.0: Milk production, March 2024 Makueni Laikipia Garissa Kajiado Turkana Baringo Wajir Samburu Tana River Kilifi Meru Mandera Narok Marsabit Tharaka Narok West Pokot Turkana Meru Nithi Laikipia Tana River Isiolo Taita Taveta Lamu Kwale Kajiado West Pokot Meru Narok Kilifi Kwale Embu Taita Taveta Nyeri Tharakan Nithi Nyeri Isiolo Baringo Garissa Wajir Kitui Samburu Marsabit 1.3.4. Livestock diseases Sheep and goat pox, along with suspected cases of foot and mouth disease, were documented in Garissa, Kajiado (Mile 46 and Ewuaso Kedong), and Narok (Siana, Kilgoris Central, Naroosura, Nkareta ward in Narok West, Transmara West, Narok South, and Narok North Sub Counties). An increase in listeriosis (circling) disease in goats was observed in Waso ward, Samburu County. The reported Rift Valley Fever outbreak cases in Marsabit and Wajir, counties continue to be controlled by stakeholders. In Mandera, instances of camel deaths occurred in Banissa and Lafey, but the cause remained undetermined. Tsetse flies were noted in large stock, particularly in the plains of North Horr in Marsabit, while a rabies outbreak was reported in Tigo, Marsabit County. 1.3.5 Cattle prices Cattle prices improved slightly throughout the ASAL counties compared to the previous month. The increase in price in these areas was due to increased demand, caused by an influx of cattle into the markets as farmers sought funds for the new academic year and other household expenses. Conversely, in other regions, the stable to improving trend in prices was attributed to the favorable body condition of cattle, allowing pastoralists to command higher prices. Across all counties, prices were higher than usual for the period, driven by factors such as good body condition, active market participation, market scarcity due to hoarding and low volumes, and increased demand for cattle meat. Table 5.0: Cattle prices, March 2024 Above LTA At LTA Below Improving Stable Worsening Makueni West Isiolo Wajir Mandera Lamu Pokot Kajiado Kajiado Nyeri Wajir Embu West Pokot Narok Mandera Nyeri Lamu Garissa Tharaka Nithi Laikipia Laikipia Marsabit Samburu Meru Wajir Samburu Meru Turkana Narok Kajiado Tana River Kilifi Kitui Embu Kwale Tana River Makueni Nyeri Kilifi Taita Taveta 1.3.6 Goat Prices Stability in goat prices was observed across ASAL counties, driven by favorable livestock body conditions. However, oversupply to markets, driven by the necessity to raise funds for school fees and household needs, led to a decline in goat prices. In contrast, some counties experienced a positive trend due to high export demand and ample browse availability, contributing to good body conditions. The prevailing market prices for goats across all counties exceeded usual rates for the period, possibly attributed to sustained improvements in goat body conditions following favorable brief rainy seasons, increasing the availability of quality goats. Table 6.0: Goat prices, March 2024 Above LTA At Below Improving Stable Worsening LTA LTA Lamu Embu Laikipia Kwale Makueni Kajiado Tharaka Lamu Garissa Kilifi Nithi Makueni Wajir Meru Turkana Narok Narok Taita Taveta Marsabit Nyeri Laikipia Garissa West Pokot Marsabit Isiolo Baringo Samburu Mandera Tana River Taita Taveta Samburu Turkana Wajir Isiolo Kilifi West Pokot Tana River Kajiado 1.4 Crop Production Agricultural activities, encompassing the cultivation of food and horticultural crops, are predominantly concentrated in the Agro-pastoral (AGP), Coastal Marginal Agriculture (CMA), and South East Marginal Agriculture clusters (SEMA). These regions serve as focal points for crop cultivation in the arid and semi-arid lands (ASAL). Nevertheless, it is noteworthy that even within other clusters, a significant number of households engage in crop production along the riverine areas of rivers such as Tana, Daua, Turkwel, and others. This diversification of agricultural practices highlights the adaptability and resourcefulness of communities across ASAL counties. The following summary table provides an overview of the agricultural landscape in these regions. Table 7.0: Current status of crop production Cluster Counties Current state of crop production SEMA Kitui The major crops being planted in the season included millet, cowpeas, green grams, sorghum, and maize in Marginal Mixed Farming livelihood zone and maize, beans, pigeon peas, cow peas and green grams in Mixed Farming livelihood zone across the livelihood zones and this situation is normal at this time of the year Crops germination was expected following the onset of the long rains. However, farmers who did early planting off season planting the crops have germinated Makueni The main crops planted during the season were maize, green grams, pigeon peas, beans, and cowpeas. across the livelihood zones Meru Land preparation for the March -April May (MAM) rains has begun in most parts of the livelihood with above-average rains expected across the county Farmers across the livelihood zones concluded harvesting of corps in late February to early March with the harvest being near normal in most parts of the Mixed Framing and Marginal Farming areas of Tigania East and West However, below average maize crop was observed in the Agropastoral areas of Igembe North and Central. This was as a result of water logging from the enhanced rains leading to stunted growth of maize in those areas Agropastoral Baringo Most of the farmers have prepared their farms in readiness for planting once the long rains start, In the Irrigated zone, tomato harvesting was going on well. 1.4.1 Maize prices Maize prices remained stable during ongoing harvesting, expected to decrease following the post- harvest. March prices exceeded the long-term average in counties, attributed to minimal production from past failed rainfall seasons, elevated fuel costs affecting transportation, and heightened demand. Concluded harvests are stabilizing maize prices, anticipated to decline further as witnessed by below average prices in march associated with harvest that farmers got. Table 8.0: Maize prices, March 2024 Above LTA Atclose Below Improving Stable Worsening to LTA LTA Makueni Nyeri Embu Embu Garissa Kajiado Garissa Kitui Kwale Kilifi Lamu Lamu Makueni Laikipia Taita Taveta Narok Wajir Taita Kitui Marsabit Nyeri Mandera Taveta Makueni Turkana Wajir Marsabit Laikipia Meru Mandera Samburu Meru Tharaka Turkana Tharaka Nithi Kajiado Nithi Isiolo Kilifi Isiolo Baringo West Pokot West Pokot Tana River Samburu Nyeri Tana River 1.5 WATER ACCESS 1.5.1 Access to water for households The distance to household water sources slightly increased but within the normal ranges, with Mandera reporting the longest trekking distance (8.8km) and Isiolo the shortest (2.2Km) among the Arid counties. Kitui recorded the longest distance (5.6km), while Narok reported the shortest (1.7km) among Semi-arid counties. The generally lower-than-normal trekking distances were attributed to water facility recharge during the October to December short rains and early onset of MAM 2024 long rains. Table 9.0: Distance from Households to Main Water Sources, March 2024 a Samburu Embu Kajiado Kitui Embu Kajiado Kilifi Kilifi Taita Kwale Tana Kitui Narok Taveta Laikipia River Laikipia Tharaka Isiolo Lamu Garissa Lamu Nithi Turkana Makueni Kwale Makueni West Pokot Meru Tharaka Meru Nyeri Nithi Nyeri Baringo West Baringo Garissa Pokot Isiolo Mandera Narok Mandera Marsabit Taita Marsabit Samburu Tavet Turkana Tana River Wajir Wajir 1.5.2 Access to water for livestock Livestock trekking distances from grazing areas to water sources remained stable across ASAL counties, showing a positive trend due to enhanced short rains. In arid counties, Turkana reported the longest round-trip distance at 11.6kilometers whereas Isiolo County having the shortest at 3.8 kilometers. In semi-arid counties, trekking distances ranged from 2.2 kilometers to 5.6 kilometers, with Kitui and Lamu reporting the longest and Kilifi and Narok the shortest distances. The improved livestock access to water sources is attributed to the successful performance of the short rains in 2023. The stability and slight increase in distances indicate positive conditions for livestock welfare in ASAL counties. Table 10.0: Distance from Livestock Grazing area to Main Water Sources, March 2024 Laikipia Lamu Kajiado Kilifi Embu Kitui Baringo Kitui Taita Lamu Meru Wajir Tharaka Nithi Taveta Kwale Narok Turkana Narok Isiolo Meru Taita Mandera Marsabit Nyeri Taveta Marsabit Samburu West Pokot Isiolo Samburu Turkana Laikipia West Kajiado Makueni Pokot Kilifi Baringo Kwale Narok Garissa Tharaka Tana River Mandera Nithi Tana River Makueni Wajir 1.6 Terms of trade Terms of trade were stable and favorable across ASAL counties. In arid counties, Garissa reported the lowest terms of trade among Arid while in In semi-arid regions, West Pokot recorded the lowest terms of trade. Comparatively, the terms of trade were favorable when measured against the long-term average. Marsabit county reported the highest terms of trade in Arid Counties while Meru recorded the highest among the semi-arid counties . The positive shift in terms of trade is attributed to the concluded harvesting activities, which are contributing to price stabilization in the ASAL counties. Table 11.0: Terms of Trade, March 2024 Makueni, Laikipia Kwale Embu, Kajiado Baringo West Pokot Garissa, Wajir Tana Kilifi, Kitui, Kwale, Tana River Lamu Narok, West Pokot River Laikipia, Makueni, Marsabit, Samburu Lamu Narok, Nyeri Taita Taveta, Turkana Taita Taveta Mandera, Meru, Isiolo Tharaka Nithi Kajiado, Kilifi Garissa, Isiolo Embu, Nyeri Mandera, Marsabit Kitui, Tharaka Nithi Samburu, Turkana Baringo Wajir 1.7. Health and nutrition Child malnutrition conditions improved in Kajiado, Kitui, Lamu, Makueni, Narok, Nyeri, West Pokot, Baringo and Garissa compared to the previous month. This positive trend is a result of ongoing nutrition interventions through health outreaches and improved food consumption, particularly from enhanced access to nutritious items such as fresh milk, pulses, and seasonal vegetables. Kilifi, Kwale, Lamu, Makueni, West Pokot, Baringo, Garissa, Marsabit, Tana River, Turkana and Wajir counties are on alert status based on MUAC rates, signaling potential nutrition concerns. Table 12.0: Children at risk of malnutrition (MUAC), March 2024 Current Trend Turkana Wajir Nyeri Embu Kilifi Embu Isiolo Isiolo Kajiado Kwale Kwale Mandera Mandera Kitui Lamu Narok Marsabit Laikipia Makueni Taita Taveta Samburu Meru West Pokot Kajiado Tharaka Nithi Narok Baringo Kitui Kilifi Samburu Garissa Lamu Laikipia Taita Marsabit Makueni Meru Taveta Tana River Nyeri Turkana West Pokot Wajir 1.8. Emerging issues Heavy rains have been experienced across ASAL counties during the month of April that led to destruction of local roads in Marsabit(Dirib-Gombo, Central (KCB)Badassa, Parkishon).Turkana has also received heavy rains that resulted to displacement of approximately 250 households with Tana river also experiencing river flooding.Other counties like Samburu have received rains that are causing swollen rivers affecting movement of goods.NDMA will closely monitor instances of flooding since rainfall onset has been realised across ASAL counties. 2.0 Drought phase classification Based on the range of early warning indicators monitored through the drought early warning system, all the 23 ASAL counties are at the Normal phase with a stable to improving trend, while few counties are at Worsening Trend as shown in the table 13. Table 13.0: Drought phase classification, March 2024 Drought Trend Improving Stable Worsening Deteriorating Normal Isiolo, Baringo, Embu, Kajiado, Kilifi, Kitui, Kwale, Garissa, Turkana Laikipia, Lamu, Makueni, Mandera, Marsabit, Samburu Meru, Narok, Nyeri, Taita Taveta, Tana River, Tharaka Nithi, Wajir, West Pokot Alert Alarm Emergency Recovery 3.0 Recommendations Table 14: Priority Recommended Interventions No. Sector Intervention 1. Coordination Enhance coordination at both national and county levels to monitor the performance of the long rains and management of the possible impacts. Stakeholders to be sensitized on livelihood support actions to prepare communities for improved conditions during MAM 2024. 2. Food and Provision of regular food assistance and unconditional cash safety nets transfers targeting the vulnerable groups particularly in flood prone areas. Implementation of deliberate actions to create and sustain IGAs for vulnerable households to set them on a path to resilience. 3. Water sector Rehabilitation and maintenance of water facilities. Support for point of use water treatment for households faced with water insecurity. Support for enhanced water harvesting and storage. 4. Livestock Strengthening disease surveillance and control to facilitate sector migrations and access to markets. Promote routine supportive livestock health initiatives including vaccinations and control of (endo and ecto) parasites Support restocking programmes aimed at herd redistributions. Promote fodder production alongside crop production during MAM 2024. 5. Health and Support health and nutrition surveillance and interventions. nutrition Promote health seeking behaviour through community health sector strategy. Promote baby-friendly initiatives through mother support groups and community health strategy. 6. Peace and Support intrainter-community peace dialogues and resource-use security sector agreements; Coordination of peace and security activities in conflict prone counties. Strengthening community readiness systems for peaceful access of resources. 7. Education Support initiatives to enhance education enrolment, transition and sector attendance. Enhance hygiene promotion in learning institutions; and Promote of school feeding programmes in schools. Table 15: Vegetation Condition Index (VCI-3 month) as at 31st March 2024 ADMINISTRATIVE UNIT VEGETATION DROUGHT CATEGORIESREMARKS GREENNESS COUNTY Sub County VCI-3 VCI-3 Colour VCI Drought Category month as month as values (3-month) at 25th at 31st 50 Vegetation greenness Feb Mar above normal 2024 2024 35 - 50 Normal vegetation greenness 20 - 35 Moderate vegetation 10 - 20 Severe vegetation deficit 10 Extreme vegetation deficit BARINGO County 52.17 The county recorded above normal vegetation greenness 57.62 76.35 Central 81.21 57.05 North 59.13 45.15 South 55.81 Ravine 78.59 41.61 Mogotio 48.13 52.31 46.57 Tiaty MANDERA County 87.45 The county remained stable as compared to previous month of February at above normal vegetation Lafey 97.39 greenness. 85.68 North 95.68 65.85 Banissa 80.56 81.42 West 82.29 107.51 South 96.19 East 87.71 TURKANA County 57.27 The county recorded above normal vegetation greenness 49.86 37.39 East 35.79 51.16 South 51.48 70.39 Loima 66.32 Central 47.92 70.85 West 60.06 54.73 North 41.96 MARSABIT County 73.77 The county recorded above normal vegetation greenness 73.86 in March which was stable when compared to previous 89.18 month of February. Laisamis 86.52 77.46 Moyale 83.5 62.34 North Horr 62.47 106.88 Saku 107.01 WAJIR County 86.77 The county maintained at above normal vegetation 86.25 greenness in March, as compared to the previous month 90.03 of February. Tarbaj 85.4 96.31 North 95.48 South 77.22 98.17 West 102.32 89.42 Eldas 83.21 89.64 East 88.99 SAMBURU County 74.55 The county remained stable at above normal vegetation greenness during the month under review. 76.88 East 78.28 78.08 North 74.66 52.52 West 55.68 GARISSA County 79.6 The county remained the same in vegetation greenness 81.91 at above normal vegetation greenness during the month 76.42 of March. Balambala 83.15 Township 87.65 91.79 Ijara 84.49 78.76 Fafi 82.25 84.58 Lagdera 89.91 65.29 Dadaab 70.04 ISIOLO County 92.63 The county recorded stability in above vegetation 94.78 greenness in March, which was stable when compared 98.9 to last month. North 99.42 83.05 South 87.7 TANA County 68.79 The county recorded above normal vegetation greenness RIVER in the month of March. 71.87 Bura 75.22 59.43 Galole 67.42 72.03 Garsen 79.55 KAJIADO County 88.12 Kajiado county recorded stability in vegetation 90.66 greenness at above normal vegetation greenness in the 89.13 month of March. Central 90.95 87.46 East 93.38 North 84.22 82.43 South 93.65 92.48 West 87.05 LAIKIPIA County 61.36 The county recorded stability in vegetation greenness at 74.32 above normal vegetation greenness during the month 69.29 under review. East 79.28 64.21 North 76.61 West 67.63 THARAKA County 67.27 Th county recorded above normal vegetation greenness 70.05 NITHI in the month under review. 81.19 Chuka 80.11 83.13 Maara 81.17 56.95 Tharaka 62.71 WEST County 48.86 The county recorded stability in vegetation greenness in 48.21 POKOT normal vegetation greenness during the month of March. 39.98 Kacheliba 41.34 50.15 Kapenguria 48.8 72.95 Pokot south 66.18 Sigor 49.58 EMBU County 76.54 The county recorded above normal vegetation greenness 77.49 84.41 Manyatta 77.15 74.43 Mbeere north 76.74 72.07 Mbeere south 76.9 89.26 Runyenjes 81.86 County 64.36 71.98 Kitui central 78.92 61.61 Kitui east 71.69 The county recorded a stability in vegetation greenness 78.1 at above normal vegetation greenness during the month Kitui rural 82 of March. KITUI 67.05 Kitui south 76.14 73.54 Kitui west 74.99 Mwingi 56.62 central 65.81 57.42 Mwingi north 62.59 76.54 Mwingi west 78.26 County 85.85 86.02 93.96 The county recorded above normal vegetation greenness Kaiti 90.79 in March, which was stable when compared to previous 88.49 Kibwezi east 88.05 month of February. 79.99 Kibwezi west 81.91 MAKUENI 90.26 Kilome 92.75 83.15 Makueni 82.82 89.33 Mbooni 87.47 County 82.12 78.98 Buuri 81.86 79.26 Central Imenti 76.15 The county recorded above normal vegetation greenness across the sub-counties during the month of March. 79.63 Igembe central 80.93 90.98 Igembe north 86.89 70.63 Igembe south 74.21 78.45 North Imenti 64.8 88.87 South Imenti 84.74 74.48 Tigania east 71.53 83.75 Tigania west 71.32 County 81.67 The county recorded above normal vegetation greenness 74.92 78.74 Kieni 75.28 Mathira 63.89 89.47 Mukurweini 84.75 NYERI Nyeri town 84.04 Othaya 76.64 86.95 Tetu 75.87 County 70.53 76.76 66.22 Ganze 76.97 68.79 Kaloleni 79.95 The county remained at above normal vegetation greenness in the month of March. 71.22 Kilifi north 73.64 KILIFI 60.73 Kilifi south 69.43 72.75 Magarini 77.53 72.15 Malindi 71.29 76.41 Rabai 78.57 83.72 County 85.42 83.3 The vegetation condition index recorded was above Kinango 85.72 normal vegetation greenness in March which was stable KWALE 85.51 Lunga 86.49 when compared to last month. 84.35 Matuga 83.82 78.37 Msambweni 80.81 County 101.23 90.68 The county and all its sub counties recorded stability in 107.48 LAMU vegetation condition at above normal vegetation Lamu east 91.21 greenness condition during the month of March. 97.61 Lamu west 90.37 County 85.87 TAITA 92.25 TAVETA 90.62 The county remained stable at above normal vegetation Mwatate 95.33 98.9 greenness during the month of March. Taveta 104.3 77.57 Voi 85.41 102.79 Wundanyi 102.65 County 87.95 84.75 The County recorded above normal vegetation 95.74 greenness in the month of March which was stable when Emurua Dikirr 94.47 compared to the last month of February. Kilgoris 81.28 88.33 Narok east 89.75 NAROK 75.04 Narok north 71.41 92.41 Narok south 87.05 88.37 92.2 Narok west Table 14.0: Indicators monitored by the drought early warning system Type of indicator Examples of indicators monitored Types of impact Biophysical Rainfall data Environmental Vegetation condition State of water sources Production Livestock body condition Livestock production Milk production Crop production Livestock migration Livestock mortality Crop production Access Terms of trade (meatmaize) Markets Milk consumption Access to food and water Distances to water Utilization MUAC (Mid-Upper Arm Nutrition Circumference) Coping Strategies Coping strategies Food consumption score Summary of the drought early warning system Each month, field monitors collect data in a number of sentinel sites across 23 arid and semi-arid counties. This is then complemented by information from other sources, particularly satellite data. For all indicators, the current value is compared with the long-term average for the time of year in order to establish whether it falls within seasonal norms. Four types of indicators are monitored, capturing different kinds of impact (Table 12). The combined analysis from all four indicator groups then determines the particular drought phase: normal, alert, alarm, emergency or recovery (Figure 4). Identifying the correct drought phase helps to guide the most appropriate response for that stage in the drought cycle.