February 2024 1. Drought Situation Overview All the counties are categorized under the Normal phase based on the range of environmental, production, access and utilization indicators monitored that fell within their usual ranges as result of good performance of the 2023 short rains season. The current Rift Valley Fever reported in the counties of Marsabit and Wajir counties is eminent risk to the affected and neighbouring counties. The just concluded Fig1:DroughtPhaseClassification,February Short Rains Assessment (SRA) 2023, the number of people in need of humanitarian assistance stands at 2 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 February2024 1.1Observed drought indicators 1.1.1February2024Rainfall Performance The analysis of the February 2024 monthly rainfall performance indicates that several parts of the ASALs counties did not receive considerable amounts of rainfall. Pastoral North East counties including; Mandera, Wajir, Isiolo, Tana River, Garissa received high amounts of rainfall ranging between 1mm to 50mm. Pastoral North west counties including Turkana, Marsabit and Samburu received rainfall ranging between 11mm to 50mm. The South East Marginal Agriculture counties including; Tharaka Nithi, Embu, Kajiado, Meru, Makueni, Kitui counties received rainfall amounts ranging between 11mm Figure 2. February 2024 Rainfall to 70mm whereas Agro Pastoral cluster including Performance Kajiado, Laikipia, Narok, Baringo, Nyeri and West Pokot received considerable good rainfall amounts ranging between 11mm to 100mm. The Coast Marginal Agriculture counties including Kwale, Kilifi, and Lamu did received rainfall ranging between 2mm to 50mm as shown in figure 1.1.2 March 2024rainfall outlook Rainfall outlook for the month of March 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 forecastedto receive above average rainfall. Figure3.March2024Rainfallforecast 1.2Vegetation condition Generally, the vegetation condition in the month of February showed slight decline from the previous month of January which is normal during this period. Turkana and West Pokot Counties are depicting slight greennessdeterioration thusrequiring monitoring. January2024 February2024 Figure 3: Vegetation Conditions(VCIs) for Januaryand February2024 The month of February 2024 indicated stability in vegetation condition across the Arid and Semi-Arid Counties (ASAL) when compared to the previous month of January 2024. However, two counties showed declining trend. Stability is due to the compounded impacts of OND short rains seasons which was linked to El Nino condition. None of the counties recorded either extreme or severe or moderate vegetation deficit. Two (2) counties of; Turkana and West Pokot recorded Normal vegetation greenness. The following twenty-one (21) counties including; Samburu, Laikipia, Kajiado, Kitui, Tana River, Garissa Kilifi, Baringo, Narok, Nyeri, Makueni, Embu, Tharaka Nithi, Meru, Isiolo, Marsabit, Wajir, Mandera, Taita Taveta, Lamu and Kwale recorded Above normal vegetation greenness. A summary of the vegetation condition across ASAL counties as at end of February 2024 is provided in Table 1. The situation for each county disaggregatedbysub-countyisprovided in Table1. Table 1: Vegetation Condition Index(VCI),February2024 Category County SubCounties(No) Extreme (0) (0) Severe (0) (0) Moderate (0) (0) Normal (2) (7) vegetation Turkana,WestPokot Baringo (Mogotio), Turkana (East, Central, North), West Pokot greenness (Kacheliba,Kapenguria,Sigor) Above (21) (106) normal Baringo, Embu, Embu (Manyatta, Mbeere North, Mbeere South, Runyenjes), Vegetation Garissa, Isiolo, Kajiado (Central, East, North, South, West), Kilifi (Ganze, greenness Kajiado, Kilifi, Kitui, Kaloleni,North,South,Magarini,Malindi,Rabai),Kitui(Central, Kwale, Laikipia, East, Rural, South, West, Mwingi Central, Mwingi North, Lamu, Makueni, Mwingi West), Kwale (Kinango, Lunga Lunga, Matuga, Mandera, Marsabit, Msambweni), Laikipia (East, North, West), Lamu (East, West), Meru, Nyeri, Makueni, (Kaiti, Kibwezi East, Kibwezi West, Kilome, Makueni, Samburu, Taita Mbooni), Meru (Buuri, Central Imenti, Igembe Central, Igembe Taveta, Tana River, North, Igembe South, North Imenti, South Imenti, Tigania East, Tharaka Nithi, Wajir, TiganiaWest) Narok Nyeri (Kieni, Mathira, Mukurweini, Nyeri Town, Othaya, Tetu), Taita Taveta (Mwatate, Taveta, Voi, Wundanyi),Tharaka Natha (ChukaIgamba ngombe, Maara, Tharaka), West Pokot(Pokot South), 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),TanaRiver(Bura,Galole,Garsen),Turkana:(South, Loima, West), Wajir (Tarbaj, North, South, West, Eldas, East), Baringo (Central, North, South, Ravine), Isiolo (North, South), Garissa(Balambala,Fafi,Lagdera,Ijara,Daadab,Township), 1.3Livestock production 1.3.1Pasture and browse condition Overall, forage conditions ranged from fair to good during the reference period. Pasture conditions were reported as good by 78 of ASAL counties, while 22 deemed the pasture condition fair. For browse, 91 of counties reported good conditions, with 9 reporting fair conditions, the stability is attributed to regeneration impacted by the recent rainfall. Fair conditions were observed in regions like Samburu and parts of Marsabit, mainly due to invasive species hindering natural regeneration, heat effects in February, and compromised grazing lands from heavyflooding. Table 2.0: Pasture and Browse Condition, February2024 Pasture Browse Baringo Garissa,Isiolo Tana River Baringo, Garissa Tana River Mandera,Marsabit Turkana Isiolo, Mandera Turkana Samburu, Wajir Marsabit, Samburu Narok Embu, Kajiado, Wajir, Embu, West Pokot Kilifi, Kitui Kajiado,Kilifi Kwale,Laikipia, Kitui, Kwale Lamu,Makueni Laikipia, Lamu Meru,Nyeri Makueni,Meru Taita Taveta Narok,Nyeri Tharaka Nithi Taita Taveta 1.3.2Livestock body condition Livestock body condition in the 23 ASAL Counties was generally stable, with 58 reporting good condition and 22 fair condition for cattle, while goat and sheep showed 96 in good condition and 4 in fair condition. The favorable trend was attributed to abundant pasture and accessible water resource 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 ASALCounties exhibited good body condition, driven by ample pasture and close water sources,with Februaryconditionsfalling within the usual or above-normal range for the season. Table 3.0: Livestock Body Condition, February2024 Cattle GoatsSheep Turkana,Kitui Baringo,Garissa Nyeri Baringo,Garissa Makueni,Narok Isiolo, Mandera Isiolo, Mandera West.Pokot Marsabit, Wajir Marsabit, Samburu Samburu Tana River,Wajir Tana River Turkana,Taita Taveta Embu, Kajiado Narok,Embu Kilifi, Kwale Kajiado,Kilifi, Kitui Laikipia, Lamu Kwale,Laikipia, Lamu, Meru,Narok, Makueni,Meru, Taita Taveta, WestPokot, Kilifi 1.3.3Milk production Milk production remained consistent compared to the previous month, but many Arid counties reported below-average production due to low Tropical Livestock Units (TLUs), stemming from livestock mortality during previous failed seasons. Among the sampled households, Samburu had the lowest average milk production of 0.4 liters among Arid counties, while Embu reported the lowest average milk production of 0.6 liters among semi-arid counties during the reviewed period. Table 4.0: Milk production, February2024 Isiolo, Nyeri Embu, Garissa Baringo Samburu Mandera Laikipia Marsabit Isiolo Tana River Turkana Meru Samburu Mandera Embu, Kwale Wajir, Narok, Tana River Wajir Laikipia, Baringo Kilifi, Kitui Kajiado Meru, Kajiado,Lamu Kwale,Taita Kilifi, Kitui, Taita Taveta, Makueni, Taveta Lamu, Garissa, Tharaka Nithi, Makueni, Marsabit, West Pokot Narok, Turkana, Nyeri Tharaka Nithi, 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 Kendang), 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. Rift Valley Fever outbreak cases were reported in Marsabit and Wajir, with 52 positive samples out of 275 tested in Wajir. 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 andgoatsabortion notedacrossthe county. 1.3.5Cattle prices Cattle prices remained steady throughout the ASAL counties compared to the previous month. The decrease in price in these areas was due to high volumes, caused by an influx of cattle into the markets as farmers sold cattle to raise fees for their learners in the schools 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 belownormal volumes, andincreaseddemandfor cattle meat. Table 5.0: Cattle prices,February2024 Above LTA At LTA Below Improving Stable Worsening Baringo, Garissa Taita Garissa, Mandera Isiolo, Mandera Taveta Baringo Tana River Marsabit, Samburu Marsabit, Nyeri Turkana Tana River, Taita Embu, Narok Wajir Taita Turkana,Wajir taveta KajiadoKilifi, Taveta Embu, Narok Kitui, Kwale Isiolo, KajiadoKilifi, Laikipia, Lamu Samburu, West Kitui, Kwale Makueni,Meru Pokot Laikipia, Lamu Tharaka Nithi Makueni,Meru Tharaka Nithi, 1.3.6Goat 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,increasingthe availability of quality goats. Table 6.0: Goat prices,February2024 Above LTA At Below Improving Stable Worsening LTA LTA Baringo, Garissa Kitui Baringo,Garissa, Tana River Isiolo Isiolo, Mandera Nyeri Marsabit, Wajir Mandera Turkana Marsabit, Kilifi Embu, Laikipia Samburu Kwale Samburu Lamu,Makueni, Nyeri Meru Tana River Kajiado Narok Turkana,Wajir Kilifi, Kitui Taita Taveta Embu, Kajiado Tharaka Nithi Kilifi, West West.Pokot Kwale,Laikipia Lamu,Makueni Meru,Narok 1.4Crop 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 statusof crop production Cluster Counties Current state of crop production SEMA Kitui The main food crops in the field were at harvesting stage and their condition variedfrom goodto fair. The performance of crops was affected by logging due to excessive water in some areas. Crop pests manifestation also affected the performance of crops in the field; thus, no optimal production wasexpected SEMA Makueni Most of these crops were on harvesting stage and in good to fair condition. The expected crop production was 30-60 percent above the long-term average. High incidences of crop pests and fungal diseases (caterpillars, bollworms, and Tuta absoluta) contributed to the reduced crop production especiallyfor irrigated cropping SEMA Meru Harvesting of short-cycle legumes such as beans has been completedacrossthe livelihood zones. Most farmers in the county began harvesting maize across all the livelihood zones. Near average to below average harvest of maize isexpected. In the Agropastoral areas of Igembe North and Central below normal maize crop harvest was observed. This is as a results of water logging from the enhanced rains leading to stunted growth of maize in these areas. However, near average-to- average maize crop harvest was observed in the Mixed Livelihood Zone of Tigania East. The harvest is expected to improve food availability at the household level periodically with most households opting to sell the harvest to meet other expenses or use as payment for school fees. Land preparation for the March -April May (MAM) rains has begunin some areas. Agropastoral Baringo Farmers have started clearing their farms in preparation for the long rains season. In the Irrigated livelihood zones, farmers were harvesting maize and tomatoes. Some maize farms were affected by fall army warms in Baringo Central and Eldama Ravine sub counties,leadingto reducedcropyield. 1.4.1Maize prices Maize prices remained stable during ongoing harvesting, the prices are expected to decrease post-harvest. January prices exceeded the long-term average in counties, attributed to elevated fuel costs affecting transportation, and heightened demand. Ongoing harvests are stabilizing maize prices, anticipated to decline further. Januarys prices surpassed long-term averages due to increasedfuel pricesimpacting transportation costs,andheighteneddemandfor the commodity. Table 8.0: Maize prices,February2024 Above LTA Atclose Below Improving Stable Worsening to LTA LTA Baringo, Garissa Kwale, Kajiado Baringo, Mandera Kitui, Taita Taveta Isiolo, Mandera Narok Isiolo Tana- River West.Pokot, Kajiado Marsabit, Turkana, Samburu, Meru,Laikipia Samburu Wajir Embu Tana River Garissa, Lamu, Turkana,Wajir Marsabit Makueni Embu, Kilifi Narok, Kitui, Laikipia Nyeri Lamu,Makueni Tharaka West Pokot, Nithi Tharaka Nithi Kilifi, Taita Taveta, Kwale Narok 1.5WATERACCESS 1.5.1Accessto water for households The distance to household water sources slightly increased but within the normal ranges, with Mandera reporting the longest trekking distance (8.3km) and Isiolo the shortest (2.2Km) among Arid counties. Tharaka Nithi recorded the longest distance (5.9km), while Nyeri reported the shortest (1.2km) 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 sporadic Januaryshowersin specific areas. Table 9.0: Distance from Householdsto Main Water Sources,February2024 Isiolo Baringo,Garissa Marsabit Kwale, Baringo,Garissa Turkana ,Mandera,Wajir Kajiado, Lamu ,Mandera,Turkana Taita Marsabit, Samburu Narok ,Samburu, Wajir, Taveta Tana River Taita Taveta Tana River,Isiolo Embu, Kajiado Kilifi, Kitui Kilifi, Kitui Laikipia, Makueni Kwale,Laikipia Meru,Tharaka Nithi Lamu,Makueni West Pokot, Embu, Meru,Narok Nyeri 1.5.2Accessto 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, the average distance increased to 7.3 kilometers from January 2023s 6.7 kilometers, with Turkana and Mandera reporting the longest round-trip distances of over 10 kilometers each, and Tana River County having the shortest at 4.5 kilometers. In semi-arid counties, trekking distances ranged from 2.2 kilometers to 4.9 kilometers, with Kitui reporting the longest and Kilifi the shortest distances. The improved livestock access to water sources is attributed to the successful performance of the short rainsin 2023. Table 10.0: Distance from Livestock Grazing areato Main Water Sources,February2024 Above LTA At LTA Belo Improving Stable Worsening Baringo Garissa,Samburu Tana River Marsabit Baringo, Garissa Narok Isiolo, Mandera Kajiado,Taita Nyeri, Isiolo, Samburu Makueni Marsabit, Wajir Taveta Laikipia Turkana,Wajir West Tana River,Embu Mandera, Embu, Pokot Kajiado,Kilifi Kilifi, Lamu Turkana Lamu,Kitui Kitui, Kwale,Meru, Meru Kwale,Nyeri Narok,Makueni, Laikipia Tharaka Nithi Tharaka Nithi, West 1.6Termsof trade Terms of trade remained stable across the ASAL counties, with Garissa and Turkana reporting the lowest among Arid counties at 40 and 42, respectively. In semi-arid regions, Nyeri recorded the lowest at 61. Comparatively, the terms of trade were favorable when measured against the long-term average. Marsabit county reported the highest terms of trade at 98.4, while Tharaka Nithi recorded the highest among the semi-arid counties at 142. The positive shift in terms of trade is attributed to the ongoing harvesting activities, which are contributing to price stabilization in the ASAL counties. Table 11.0: Termsof Trade,February2024 Isiolo, Mandera Garissa Baringo, Tana River Mandera Marsabit, Samburu Tana River Marsabit Narok,Nyeri, Isiolo Turkana Embu, Garissa Lamu Samburu, Baringo Kajiado Wajir Kwale,Lamu Turkana Wajir Kilifi, Nyeri Embu, Kajiado Tharaka Nithi, Kilifi, Makueni Taita Taveta Makueni,Meru West Pokot Meru,Narok West Pokot, Taita Taveta, Tharaka Nithi Kwale Kitui Lamu,Taita Taveta Laikipia 1.7. Health and nutrition Nutrition conditions improved in Isiolo, Mandera, Embu, Kitui, Laikipia, Lamu, Meru, Nyeri, Taita Taveta, and Marsabit 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. Garissa, Tana River, Kitui, Kwale, and Makueni counties are on alert status based on MUAC rates, signaling potential nutrition concerns. Despite this, reported malnutrition rates remained below seasonal ranges in about 60 percent of ASAL counties, but approximately 26 percent experienced rates outside the usual ranges. This less favorable situation could be attributed to an increase in epidemic diseases, including cholera and diarrhea, during the OND 2023period. Table 12.0: Children at risk of malnutrition (MUAC),February2024 Current Trend Garissa Baringo Isiolo, Turkana Mandera Wajir Garissa Tana River Meru, Marsabit Marsabit Baringo Samburu Kitui, Kwale Narok Samburu Isiolo Kajiado, Turkana, Makueni Nyeri Wajir,Mandera Embu, Kilifi Tana River Embu, Kajiado Kitui, Nyeri Narok Kwale Kilifi, Laikipia Laikipia Makueni Lamu Lamu,Meru Tharaka Nithi Taita Taveta Taita Taveta West Pokot 2.0Drought 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 fewcountiesare at WorseningTrend asshownin the table 13. Table 13.0: Drought phase classification, January2024 Drought Trend Improving Stable Worsening Deteriorating Normal Isiolo, Baringo, Garissa, Kajiado, Mandera, Tana Turkana, Marsabit River, Wajir, Samburu, Embu, Kilifi, Kitui, West Pokot Kwale, Laikipia, Lamu, Makueni, Meru, Narok, Nyeri,Taita Taveta,Tharaka Nithi Alert Alarm Emergency Recovery 3.0Recommendations Table 14: Priority Recommended Interventions No. Sector Intervention 1. Coordination Enhance coordination at both national and county levels to monitor any effects of the low precipitation situation, given the likely dry conditionsinMarch2024,beforeonsetofMAM2024season. Stakeholders to be sensitized on livelihood support actions to preparecommunitiesforimprovedconditionsduringMAM2024. 2. Food and Provision of regular food assistance and unconditional cash safetynets transferstargetingthevulnerablegroups. Implementation of deliberate actions to create and sustain IGAs for vulnerablehouseholdstosetthemonapathtoresilience. 3. Watersector Rehabilitation and maintenance of water facilities damaged by El Ninorains. Support for point of use water treatment for households faced with waterinsecurity. Supportenhancedwaterharvestingandstorage. 4. Livestock Strengthening disease surveillance and control to facilitate sector migrationsandaccesstomarkets. Promote routine supportive livestock health initiatives including vaccinationsandcontrolof(endoandecto)parasites Facilitatesafemigrationsinaccessinggrazingareasandmarkets Supportrestockingprogrammesaimedatherdredistributions. Promote pasture seed collection in readiness for reseeding during MAM2024. 5. Health and Supporthealthandnutritionsurveillanceandinterventions. nutritionsector Promote health seeking behaviour through community health strategy. Promote baby-friendly initiatives through mother support groups andcommunityhealthstrategy. 6. Peace and Support intrainter-community peace dialogues and resource-use securitysector agreements;Coordinationof peaceandsecurityactivitiesin conflict pronecounties. Strengthening community readiness systems for peaceful access of resources. 7. Education Support initiatives to enhance education enrolment, transition and sector attendance. Enhancehygienepromotioninlearninginstitutions;and Promoteofschoolfeedingprogrammes. Table 15: Vegetation Condition Index(VCI-3month) asat 25th February2024 ADMINISTRATIVEUNIT VEGETATION DROUGHTCATEGORIESREMARKS GREENNESS COUNTY SubCounty VCI-3 VCI-3 Colour VCI DroughtCategory monthas monthas values (3-month) at31st at25th 50 Vegetation greenness Jan Feb abovenormal 2024 2024 35-50 Normal vegetation greenness 20-35 Moderate vegetation 10-20 Severevegetationdeficit 10 Extremevegetationdeficit BARINGO County The county recorded above normal vegetation 58.21 57.62 Central 71.16 81.21 North 58.5 59.13 South 59.5 55.81 Ravine 63.94 78.59 Mogotio 48.02 48.13 57.25 Tiaty 52.31 MANDERA County The county remained stable as compared to previous 89.84 91 month of January with above normal vegetation Lafey 93.9 97.39 greenness. North 95.2 95.68 Banissa 84.19 80.56 West 85.67 82.29 South 90.68 96.19 East 80.99 87.71 TURKANA County The county recorded normal vegetation greenness 54.66 49.86 duringthemonthunderreview. East 35.03 35.79 South 56.18 51.48 Loima 73.21 66.32 Central 45.92 47.92 West 68.43 60.06 North 48.29 41.96 MARSABIT County The county recorded above normal vegetation 82.75 73.86 greenness in February which was stable when comparedtopreviousmonthofJanuary. Laisamis 92.78 86.52 Moyale 90.77 83.5 NorthHorr 73.78 62.47 Saku 106.34 107.01 WAJIR County The county maintained at above normal vegetation 80.25 86.25 greenness in February, as compared to the previous monthofJanuary.Thisremainedstable. Tarbaj 81.37 85.4 North 92.2 95.48 South 75.41 77.22 West 85.04 102.32 Eldas 70.25 83.21 East 81.61 88.99 SAMBURU County Thecountyremainedstable atabovenormalvegetation 74.6 74.2 East 77.26 78.28 North 76.59 74.66 West 56.61 55.68 GARISSA County The county remained the same in vegetation greenness 79.78 81.91 Balambala 77.94 83.15 Township 81.14 87.65 Ijara 79.75 84.49 Fafi 83.58 82.25 Lagdera 82.12 89.91 Dadaab 70.57 70.04 ISIOLO County The county recorded stability in above vegetation 90.96 94.78 comparedtolastmonth. North 93.74 99.42 South 86.71 87.7 TANA County The county recorded above normal vegetation 78.53 75 RIVER greennessinthemonthofFebruary. Bura 74.5 75.22 Galole 76.07 67.42 Garsen 83.49 79.55 KAJIADO County Kajiado county recorded stability in vegetation 81.05 90.66 greennessatabovenormalvegetationgreenness. Central 79.16 90.95 East 86.31 93.38 North 75.03 84.22 South 88.06 93.65 West 74.31 87.05 LAIKIPIA County The county recorded stability in vegetation greenness 74.16 74.32 underreview. East 79.06 79.28 North 78.21 76.61 West 64.21 67.63 THARAKA County Th county recorded above normal vegetation greenness 69.53 70.05 NITHI inthemonthunderreview. Chuka 80.42 80.11 Maara 76.53 81.17 Tharaka 63.2 62.71 WEST County The county recorded decrease in vegetation greenness 55.38 48.21 POKOT from, above normal vegetation greenness to normal vegetationgreennessduringthemonthofFebruary. Kacheliba 50.37 41.34 Kapenguria 55.97 48.8 Pokotsouth 64.03 66.18 Sigor 58.9 49.58 EMBU County The county recorded above normal vegetation 80.13 77.49 Manyatta 74.21 77.15 Mbeerenorth 84.3 76.74 Mbeeresouth 80.01 76.9 Runyenjes 77.82 81.86 74.09 71.98 KITUI Kituicentral 74.17 78.92 Kituieast 73.89 71.69 The county recorded a stability in vegetation greenness Kituirural 80.32 82 Kituisouth 76.92 76.14 Kituiwest 73.33 74.99 Mwingi central 71.1 65.81 Mwinginorth 67.79 62.59 Mwingiwest 81.35 78.26 79.77 86.02 The county recorded above normal vegetation Kaiti 81.57 90.79 Kibwezieast 76.51 88.05 comparedtopreviousmonthofJanuary. Kibweziwest 80.78 81.91 MAKUENI Kilome 83.12 92.75 Makueni 82.07 82.82 Mbooni 78.12 87.47 74.02 78.98 Buuri 73.78 81.86 CentralImenti 74.08 76.15 The county recorded above normal vegetation greennessacrossthesub-counties. Igembecentral 78.6 80.93 Igembenorth 83.82 86.89 Igembesouth 75.76 74.21 NorthImenti 53.3 64.8 SouthImenti 76.08 84.74 Tiganiaeast 66.84 71.53 Tiganiawest 61.64 71.32 County The county recorded above normal vegetation 61.83 74.92 Kieni 64.12 75.28 Mathira 55.57 63.89 Mukurweini 64.48 84.75 NYERI Nyeritown 66.73 84.04 Othaya 59.95 76.64 Tetu 56.06 75.87 KILIFI County 74.53 76.76 Ganze 77.09 76.97 Kaloleni 76.92 79.95 The county remained at above normal vegetation greennessinthemonthofFebruary. Kilifinorth 68.46 73.64 Kilifisouth 65.42 69.43 Magarini 74.85 77.53 Malindi 70.73 71.29 Rabai 69.6 78.57 County 78.06 85.42 The vegetation condition index recorded was above Kinango 79.37 85.72 normal vegetation greenness in February which was KWALE LungaLunga 80.01 86.49 stablewhencomparedtolastmonth. Matuga 71.09 83.82 Msambweni 70.92 80.81 80.44 90.68 Thecountyandallits subcountiesrecordedstability in LAMU vegetation condition at above normal vegetation Lamueast 79.03 91.21 greennessconditionduringthemonthofFebruary. Lamuwest 81.25 90.37 82.11 92.25 Thecountyremainedstable atabovenormalvegetation Mwatate 79.74 95.33 greennessduringthemonthofFebruary. TAITA Taveta 84.74 104.3 TAVETA Voi 81.44 85.41 Wundanyi 85.18 102.65 77.55 84.75 The County recorded above normal vegetation greenness in the month of February which was stable EmuruaDikirr 92.93 94.47 whencomparedtothelastmonthofJanuary. Kilgoris 76.55 81.28 Narokeast 79.25 89.75 NAROK Naroknorth 64.01 71.41 Naroksouth 77.09 87.05 83.63 Narokwest 88.37 Table 14.0: Indicatorsmonitored by the drought earlywarningsystem Type of indicator Examplesof indicatorsmonitored Typesof impact Biophysical Rainfall data Environmental Vegetationcondition State of water sources Production Livestockbodycondition Livestock production Milk production Cropproduction Livestockmigration Livestockmortality Cropproduction Access Termsof trade (meatmaize) Markets Milk consumption Accessto food andwater Distancesto water Utilization MUAC(Mid-Upper Arm Nutrition Circumference) Coping strategies Coping strategies Food consumption score Summary of the drought earlywarningsystem 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 fallswithin 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 helpsto guide the most appropriate response for that stage in the drought cycle. Figure 4.0: Drought Phase Classification