December 2024 1. Drought Situation Overview The drought situation remained normal across majority of the ASAL counties. The stable trend was attributed to the light showers experienced in December that aided in sustaining the impact of the good rainfall received in November. Three (3) counties, Wajir, Mandera and Kilifi were in Alert drought phase while the remaining twenty (20) ASAL counties were in Normal drought phase (Figure 1). Four (4) counties including Tana River, Embu, Taita Taveta, Tharaka Nithi were classified to be at Normal and on an improving trend, ten (10) counties including Garissa, Isiolo, Samburu, Turkana, Kitui, Kwale, Laikipia, Makueni, Figure 1. December Drought Phase Narok, Nyeri at Normal and on a stable trend while six (6) counties including Baringo, Marsabit, Kajiado, Lamu, Meru, West Pokot at Normal and on a worsening trend. The classification was based on the range of environmental, production, access and utilization indicators monitored that fell within their usual seasonal ranges except for the counties at Alert drought phase. The trend of food insecurity among populations has been on the rise since July 2024. The Current number of food insecure population is approximately 1.8 persons in ASAL counties. The Counties of Wajir, Garissa, Turkana, Marsabit, and Mandera have the highest proportions of food insecure populations. Despite the improvements from the previous season, levels of acute malnutrition have still remained elevated in some arid counties such as Mandera, Marsabit, Samburu, Baringo (Tiaty) and Turkana. The total caseload for children aged 6-59 months as well as pregnant and breastfeeding mothers currently acutely malnourished and in need of urgent treatment is estimated at 479,498 and 110, 169 respectively. 1.1 Observed Drought Indicators 1.1.1 December 2024 Rainfall Performance Throughout December 2024, the rainfall performance across the Arid and Semi-Arid (ASAL) counties displayed significant spatial variation, with notable disparities between clusters. The Pastoral North East (PNE) cluster, encompassing Isiolo, Garissa, Wajir, Mandera, and Tana River, experienced predominantly below-average rainfall, with large areas receiving less than 50 percent of the long-term mean (LTM), and isolated zones falling below 25 percent. In contrast, the pastoral north west (PNW) cluster, which includes Turkana, Samburu, and Marsabit, also faced deficits, with Figure 2. December Rainfall Performance (source: KMD) most areas recording amounts below 50 percent of LTM, particularly in Turkana and Marsabit. The coastal marginal agriculture (CMA) cluster, comprising Kilifi, Kwale, Lamu, and Taita Taveta, generally experienced average to above- average rainfall, with coastal regions such as Kilifi and Kwale receiving 101200 percent of the LTM. The south eastern marginal agriculture (SEMA) cluster, which includes Meru, Embu, Tharaka Nithi, Makueni, and Kitui, recorded mixed performance, with southern parts receiving slightly above-average rainfall (76125 percent of LTM) while northern areas received below average rainfall. Lastly, the Agro-pastoral (AGP) cluster, that consistutes Baringo, Narok, Kajiado, Laikipia, West Pokot, and Nyeri, demonstrated heterogeneous rainfall distribution, with Narok and Kajiado receiving above-average rainfall (101200 percent of LTM), while Baringo and Laikipia experienced deficits, with some areas falling below 50 percent of the LTM. 1.1.2 January 2025 Rainfall Outlook The rainfall forecast for January 2025 across the ASAL counties indicates predominantly dry conditions with significant spatial variation among the clusters. The PNE cluster is expected to experience generally sunny and dry conditions, consistent with climatological norms, with little to no rainfall anticipated. Similarly, the PNW cluster is also forecasted to have predominantly dry conditions under the same climatological patterns. The CMA cluster is forecasted to experience mainly sunny and dry conditions with occasional rainfall, particularly in coastal areas where isolated showers might occur. Sunny and dry conditions are forecasted for the SEMA cluster, with sporadic rainfall possible in some locations.Lastly, the AGP cluster is anticipated to follow a similar pattern of mainly dry conditions with occasional rainfall particularly in the southern and western areas such as Narok and Kajiado. Figure 3. January Rainfall forecast (Source: KMD) 1.2 Vegetation Condition Figure 4 compares the vegetation condition index (VCI) in December 2024 with that of the previous month of November 2024. Generally, the vegetation condition in the month of December was above normal vegetation greenness compared to that of the month of November in most counties, however with a deteriorating trend. Kilifi and Kwale counties maintained at moderate vegetation deficit. Wajir county deteriorated to moderate vegetation deficit from normal vegetation greenness. Marsabit, Mandera, Isiolo and Tharaka Nithi counties deteriorated to normal vegetation greenness from above normal vegetation greenness when compared to November. The month of December 2024 showed huge deterioration in vegetation condition in most Arid Counties. Deterioration in vegetation was due to the impact of poor performance of OND rains which did not have a positive improvement in terms of vegetation regeneration. None of the counties recorded either extreme or severe vegetation deficit. Fourteen (14) ASAL counties including; Turkana, Samburu, Lamu, Meru, Embu, Makueni, Kitui, Baringo, Narok, Kajiado, Laikipia, West Pokot, Tana River and Nyeri recorded Above normal vegetation greenness. Six counties (6); Marsabit, Isiolo, Tharaka Nithi, Garissa, Mandera and Taita Taveta recorded normal vegetation greenness, while three counties (3); Kilifi, Kwale and Wajir recorded moderate vegetation deficit. A summary of the vegetation condition across ASAL counties at end of December 2024 is provided in figure 4. The situation for each county disaggregated by sub-county is provided in Table1. November 2024 December 2024 Figure 4: Maps comparing Vegetation Conditions (VCIs) of November and December 2024 Table1: Vegetation Condition Index (VCI), December 2024 Category County Sub Counties (No) Extreme (0) (0) Severe (0) (1) vegetation Wajir (West) deficit Moderate (3) (9) vegetation Wajir, Kilifi, Kwale Isiolo (North), Kilifi (Ganze, Kaloleni, South, Rabai), Wajir deficit (Eldas, South), Kwale (Kinango, Lunga Lunga) Normal (6) (23) vegetation Garissa, Isiolo, Garissa (Lagdera, Daadab) Isiolo (South), Kilifi (North, Magarini, greenness Mandera, Marsabit, Malindi), Kwale (Matuga, Msambweni), Mandera (West, South, Taita Taveta and East, Banissa), Marsabit (Laisamis, Moyale, North Horr, Saku), Taita Taveta (Mwatate, Voi), Tana River (Bura), Tharaka Nithi (Tharaka) Wajir (Tarbaj, North, East) Above (14) (80) normal Turkana, Samburu, Baringo (Central, North, Ravine, South, Mogotio, Tiaty), Embu Vegetation Lamu, Meru, Embu, (Manyatta, Mbeere North, Mbeere South, Runyenjes), Garissa greenness Makueni, Kitui, (Balambala, Township, Ijara, Fafi, Ijara), Kajiado (Central, East, Baringo, Narok, North, South, West), Kitui (Central, East, Rural, South West, Kajiado, Laikipia, Mwingi Central, Mwingi North, Mwingi West), Laikipia (East, West Pokot, Tana West, North), Lamu (East, West), Makueni, (Kaiti, Kibwezi East, River and Nyeri Kibwezi West, Kilome, Makueni, Mbooni), Mandera (Lafey, North, Banissa, West, South, East), Mandera (Lafey, North), Meru (Buuri, Central Imenti, Igembe Central, Igembe North, Igembe South, North Imenti, South Imenti, Tigania East, Tigania West), Nyeri (Kieni, Mathira, Mukurweini, Nyeri Town, Othaya, Tetu), Samburu:( East, North, West), Taita Taveta (Taveta, Wundanyi), Tharaka Nithi (ChukaIgamba ngombe, Maara), Tana River (Galole, Garsen), Turkana:( East, South, Central, North, Loima, West), West Pokot (Pokot South, Sigor, Kapenguria, Kacheliba), Narok (Emurua Dikirr, Kilgoris, East, North, South, West), 1.3 Livestock production 1.3.1 Pasture and browse condition The condition of forage was generally fair to good across the counties during the period under review with deterioration being noted across majority of them. About 65 and 43 percent of the ASAL counties reported the condition of pasture and browse respectively as being fair (Table 2), while Mandera reported the condition as being poor. Forage availability was sustained in December as a consequence of the light showers received coupled with the cumulative effect of the good rainfall received in November. However, moderate land surface temperatures prevailing in some areas contributed towards the slight deterioration witnessed in some pocket zones. Table 2.0: Forage Condition, December 2024 Pasture Browse Mandera Baringo, Embu Laikipia Mandera Garissa, Isiolo Baringo, Embu Garissa, Isiolo Lamu, Narok Kajiado, Meru Kilifi, Kitui Kajiado, Kilifi Nyeri, Kwale Makueni Kwale, Laikipia Kitui, Makueni Taita Taveta Marsabit Lamu, Narok Marsabit, Meru Tana river Samburu Nyeri Samburu, Wajir Tharaka Nithi Taita Taveta Tharaka Nithi Turkana, Wajir Tana River Turkana, West Pokot West Pokot 1.3.2 Livestock body condition The body condition of livestock remained relatively stable in relation to the previous month of November ranging from fair to good (Table 3). Among the drivers of the observed trend included: forage and water availability in sites adjacent to households across most counties. Additionally, availability of crop residues sufficed in supplementing the livestock feed. Improved provision of livestock health services such as vaccination by different stakeholders equally aided in promoting the stable livestock body condition observed. Table 3.0: Livestock Body Condition, December 2024 Cattle GoatsSheep Baringo Embu, Isiolo Baringo, Garissa Embu, Isiolo Garissa, Lamu Kajiado, Kilifi Makueni, Mandera Kajiado, Kilifi Kitui, Wajir Kwale, Laikipia Marsabit, Kitui Kwale, Laikipia Makueni Marsabit, Meru Tana River, Lamu Meru, Narok Mandera Narok, Nyeri Tharaka Nithi Nyeri, Taita Tana River Samburu, Turkana Wajir Taveta, Samburu Tharaka Nithi Taita Taveta Turkana 1.3.4. Livestock diseases Poultry farmers in Tharaka Nithi and Kwale (Gulanze and Ndavaya in Kinango subcounty) faced isolated cases of Newcastle disease. Persistent cases of endemic East Coast Fever (ECF) were recorded in Narok. The dominant syndrome reported in Marsabit was Respiratory at 26.9 percent, Gastrointestinal at 20.4 percent, and Abortion at 13.6 percent. Equally, incidents of Peste des petits ruminants (PPR) were widespread in Marsabit especially around Butiye, Golbo, KorrNgurunit, Laisamis, North Horr, Sololo, Turbi, HeilluManyatta and Moyale Township and Garissa (Balambala sub county). Foot rot associated with the cold conditions in December was recorded in Embu. Suspected cases of foot and mouth disease (FMD) were reported in Kajiado, Meru (Amwathi in Igembe North), Samburu, West Pokot (Chepareria ward), Tana River and southern parts of Garissa. Rabies and goat pox presented the highest prevalence of 50.1 and 42.9 percent and mortality rate of 24 and 14.3 percent respectively in Turkana. An unknown disease-causing paralysis and death in lambs and kids was reported in Masol and Lomut wards while 36,302 cattle were vaccinated against Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD) in West Pokot. 1.3.5 Cattle prices Majority of the counties constituting 78 percent reported an improving trend in the price of cattle in relation to the previous month with only Mandera, Wajir and Tharaka Nithi reporting a negative trend (Table 5). The decline in price in the aforementioned counties was occasioned by distress stress hence over supply driven by the poor performance of the short rains and drop in demand for cattle with a high preference for camels in December. Notably, the improving trend in the other areas was driven by the good cattle body condition that enabled pastoralists fetch more. Noteworthy, the recorded prices across all the counties were above the corresponding usual prices for the period with good body condition, vibrant market participation, scarcity at the markets due to hoarding and low volumes in some areas, and high demand for cattle meat during the festive season being cited as factors sustaining the above normal prices. Table 5.0: Cattle prices, December 2024 Baringo, Garissa, Isiolo Baringo, Garissa Marsabit Mandera Mandera, Marsabit, Lamu Isiolo, Samburu Kitui Wajir Samburu, Tana River Tana River, Embu Tharaka Nithi Turkana, Wajir, Embu Turkana, Kajiado Kajiado, Kilifi, Kitui Kilifi, Kwale, Lamu Kwale, Laikipia, Makueni Laikipia, Makueni Nyeri, Taita Taveta Meru, Narok, Nyeri Tharaka Nithi, Narok Taita Taveta West Pokot, Meru West Pokot 1.3.6 Goat Prices Save for Mandera and Wajir that reported a negative trend in the price of goat attributed to deteriorating body condition, majority of the counties constituting 91 percent reported a stable to improving trend across December (Table 6). The positive trend in these counties was influenced by the high demand over the festive season and browse availability following the rainfall received hence good body condition. The prevailing market price of goat across all the counties was above the usual prices for the period and that could be attributed to sustained improvement in the body condition of goat following the rainfall received that promoted availability of quality palatable browse in majority of the areas. Table 6.0: Goat prices, December 2024 Baringo, Garissa, Isiolo Samburu Baringo Mandera Mandera, Marsabit, Meru Tana River Garissa Wajir Samburu, Tana River Turkana, Lamu Isiolo Turkana, Wajir, Embu Kajiado, Kitui Marsabit Kajiado, Kilifi, Kitui, Lamu Kwale, Meru Kilifi, Embu Kwale, Laikipia, Makueni Laikipia Makueni Narok, Nyeri, Taita Taveta Narok, Nyeri Tharaka Nithi Tharaka Nithi, West Pokot Taita Taveta West Pokot 1.4 Crop production Agricultural activities entailing food and horticultural crops production usually take place in the Agro-pastoral, Coastal Marginal Agriculture, and South East Marginal Agriculture clusters. However, within the other clusters, a notable proportion of households practice crop production along the riverine areas of River Tana, Daua, Turkwel among others. The summary table below illustrates the situation across the ASAL counties. Table 7.0: Current status of crop production Cluster Counties Current state of crop production CMA Taita Crops were above knee-high and others at knee high stage in the Taveta Mixed Farming: Food Crop Livestock and Horticulture Dairy livelihood zones. Maize crop was at tasselling stage in the Mixed Farming: irrigatedlivestock livelihood zone. Kilifi Early planted maize in parts of the Marginal Mixed zone was at knee- high and in good condition. In addition. cassava crop was in good condition. However, most farms remained bushy as farmers were reluctant to prepare and plant following the forecasted poor rainfall season. Lamu Rainfall recorded during the month prompted successful germination especially in areas where dry planting was done. Most of the crops were at different stages including germination, knee high to and above Knee high. Kwale The major activities carried out by majority of the farmers were weeding and harvesting of some of the early planted crops. SEMA Meru Legumes were at growth stages ranging from tussling to podding, with their condition being poor to fair. Cereal crops were at varying stages of development: knee-high in the lower zones of Tigania East, Tigania West, Igembe North, Igembe Central, and parts of Buuri, while in the upper zones of Tigania East and Tigania West, crops are flowering for farmers who planted earlier in the season. Overall, crop conditions were rated as poor to fair, largely due to below-average OND rainfall and with the current rainfall outlook, below-average harvest is expected. Tharaka Farmers were actively ploughing and planting key crops such as green Nithi grams, sorghum, millet, maize and beans. Early planting, led to notable germination in the Mixed Farming zones of Mukothima and Nkondi. Kitui Most crops were at weeding stage while others were at leaf development stage. The condition of the crops was fair across the livelihood zones having faced water stress during the second week of December apart from Kitui Central, Kitui West and Kitui Rural Sub- counties, that by then continued receiving light showers (10 mm). Makueni Crops were at knee high and flowering stage and in fair condition. Farmers were mainly engaged in weeding activities to support crop growth. However, presence of fall army worm, spread of invasive weeds and poor rainfall distribution were among the factors hindering crop production across December. Embu Maize in the mixed farming zone was at tussling stage while in the marginal mixed farming zone it was at the second weeding stage with the condition being fair. Beans, green grams and cowpeas were all at the podding stage across both livelihood zones. The condition of legumes was equally fair. Agro- Kajiado Crop development was behind schedule. Beans were blooming while pastoral maize were 8-10 leaves compared to podding and tussling in that sequence normally. Delayed rainfall onset affected the planting period but generally the condition was good. Narok Rain-fed crops were in good condition and likely to retain their state up to maturity owing to the extremely high soil moisture during the month under review. Nyeri Maize was at knee high and beans were at flowering stage. The main on-farm activity taking place in December was first weeding. West In the Mixed Farming livelihood zone, maize crop was above knee Pokot high and in fair to poor condition. 1.4.1 Maize prices Increase in the price of maize was observed in estimated 61 percent of the counties while the price remained unchanged in about 30 percent of the areas (Table 8). The reported price increase was as a result of the dwindling household stocks hence increased demand (market over reliance) more so over the festive season, limited relief food distribution by humanitarian agencies and increased cost of transportation from the external source areas. However, the prevailing price over December was below the respective long-term average price for majority of the counties and that could be attributed to the previous good harvests and market injections through cross border imports. Table 8.0: Maize prices, December 2024 Above Atclose Below LTA Improving Stable Worse- LTA to LTA ning Garissa Turkana Baringo, Isiolo Garissa Isiolo Baringo, Marsabit Mandera Kilifi Samburu, Tana River Kajiado Mandera Samburu, Embu Marsabit Kwale Embu, Kajiado Wajir Tana River, Kwale Wajir Kitui, Laikipia, Meru Kilifi Turkana, Kitui Lamu Makueni, Narok Laikipia Makueni, Meru Nyeri, Taita Taveta Lamu Narok, Nyeri Tharaka Nithi Taita Taveta Tharaka Nithi 1.5 WATER ACCESS 1.5.1 Access to water for households During the period under review, a stable to improving trend in trekking distance for households was noted in about 82 percent of the ASAL counties (Table 9). The decrease in trekking distance could be ascribed to improved water availability through recharge of open water sources that were in close proximity to households across December. On the other hand, increase in distance in some counties like Isiolo, Baringo, Mandera and Wajir could be attributed to the high evaporation rate that resulted to drying up of some sources and depletion of harvested water due to early cessation of the short rains. Notably, the longest distance of 9.3 and 8.8 kilometres was recorded in Mandera and Wajir respectively among the Arid counties while Lamu and Kitui reported the longest distance of 5.6 and 4.5 kilometres accordingly among the semi-arid counties. Save for Wajir, Kitui, Nyeri and Tana River, the reported trekking distance across all the counties was below the respective long-term average. Lower than normal trekking distance was boosted by recharge of water facilities especially in December. Table 9.0: Distance from Households to Main Water Sources, December 2024 Wajir Mandera, Kwale Baringo, Samburu, Garissa, Baringo Kitui Turkana, Embu Kajiado, Meru Kilifi Kajiado Isiolo Nyeri Kilifi, Laikipia Taita Taveta Kwale, Lamu Marsabit Mandera Tana River Narok, Makueni Tharaka Nithi Makueni, Meru Tana River Embu Garissa, Isiolo West Pokot Nyeri Turkana, Kitui Narok Samburu, Lamu Marsabit Taita Taveta Laikipia Wajir Tharaka Nithi West Pokot 1.5.2 Access to water for livestock Trekking distance to water source from grazing areas declined in about 48 percent of the counties over the subject reference period under analysis with stability being noted in 22 percent of the areas (Table 10). Decrease in trekking distance in the aforementioned areas could be attributed to forage regeneration and improved water availability following the recharge that took place. However, the negative trend in some counties was as a consequence of movement of livestock from sites near farmlands as crops matured and dwindling forage levels in sites adjacent to water sources. The longest return trekking distance of 16.4 kilometres was reported in Marsabit among the arid counties with Lamu equally recording the longest distance of 5.1 kilometres among the semi-arid counties. In reference to the usual trekking distance for the month of December, only Mandera and Kwale reported a distance that was outside the normal range. Recharge of water facilities over December period was the major factor that influenced the lower than usual trekking distance across the month under review. Table 10.0: Distance from Grazing area to Main Water Sources, December 2024 Mandera Samburu, Embu Baringo, Garissa Garissa, Lamu Samburu Baringo Kwale Makueni, Narok Isiolo, Turkana Turkana Kitui Isiolo West- Pokot Kajiado, Kilifi Tana River, Meru Mandera Marsabit, Nyeri Lamu, Taita Taveta Kwale, Narok Nyeri Marsabit Tana River Meru, Tharaka Kajiado, Kilifi West Pokot Wajir, Embu Wajir, Kitui Nithi Makueni Laikipia Laikipia Taita Taveta 1.6 Terms of trade Approximately 57 percent of the counties recorded stability in the terms of trade attributable to minimal shifts in the price of goat relative to the previous month (Table 11). Decline in terms of trade noted in some areas could be ascribed to the increase in price of maize witnessed over the subject month under review. The lowest terms of trade of 39.5 and 97 was reported in Turkana and Nyeri among the arid and semi-arid counties respectively and thus pastoral households in these counties remained disadvantaged due to the unfavorable terms of trade implying low purchasing power. Generally, the terms of trade recorded over the month under review were above the long- term average in all the counties. The observed scenario could be attributed to the maize prices that remained moderate and within the seasonal range coupled with the slightly elevated goat prices driven by the good body condition. Table 11.0: Terms of Trade, December 2024 Baringo, Garissa, Isiolo Garissa Isiolo Baringo, Mandera Mandera, Marsabit Kajiado Samburu Marsabit, Wajir Samburu, Tana River Laikipia Tana River Embu, West Pokot Turkana, Wajir, Embu Lamu Turkana Kwale, Makueni Kajiado, Kilifi, Kitui Meru Kilifi Nyeri, Tharaka Nithi Kwale, Laikipia, Lamu Taita Taveta Kitui Makueni, Meru, Narok Narok Nyeri, Taita Taveta 1.7. Health and nutrition Nutrition situation remained stable in roughly 65 percent of the counties (Table 12). Notable factors cited for the observed trend included: good terms of trade that translated to improved access to diverse foods via the market and availability of milk, green vegetables and fruits at household level out of own production. The nutrition situation was however on a worsening trend in select counties such as Mandera, Wajir and Marsabit ascribed to inadequate and unbalanced food intake due to high poverty rates, and high disease prevalence. The reported malnutrition rates remained within the seasonal ranges in approximately 78 percent of the counties with the only exceptions being Baringo, Lamu, Meru, Mandera and Turkana. The positive situation could be attributed to availability of milk, expanded mass screening and medical outreaches. On the contrary, poor feeding and child care practices was driving the negative situation in the prior mentioned counties. Table 12.0: Children at risk of malnutrition (MUAC), December 2024 Above LTA A t LTA Below LTA Improving Stable Worsening Baringo, Kajiado Isiolo, Samburu Samburu Garissa, Isiolo Baringo, Wajir Meru Tharaka- Tana River Tana River Turkana, Narok Mandera, Meru Lamu Nithi Wajir, Kilifi Kwale Kajiado, Kilifi Marsabit, Embu Mandera Garissa, Kwale, Laikipia Laikipia Kitui, Nyeri Lamu Turkana Embu Makueni Makueni Taita Taveta Tharaka Nithi Marsabit Narok, Nyeri West Pokot Kitui Taita Taveta West Pokot 2.0 Drought phase classification Based on the range of early warning indicators monitored through the drought early warning system, 20 ASAL counties are at the Normal phase while three Counties including Wajir, Mandera and Kilifi are at Alert drought phase as shown in table 13. Table 13.0: Drought phase classification, December 2024 Drought Trend status Improving Stable Worsening Deteriorating Normal Tana River, Embu, Garissa, Isiolo, Samburu, Turkana, Baringo, Marsabit Taita Taveta, Tharaka Kitui, Kwale, Laikipia, Makueni, Kajiado, Lamu, Meru, Nithi Narok, Nyeri West Pokot Alert Kilifi Mandera, Wajir Alarm Emergency Recovery Table 14: Vegetation Condition Index (VCI-3 month) as at 29th December 2024 ADMINISTRATIVE UNIT VEGETATION DROUGHT CATEGORIESREMARKS GREENNESS County Sub County VCI-3 VCI-3 Colour VCI Drought Category month as at month as at values 24th 29th (3-month) November December 50 Vegetation greenness above 2024 2024 normal 35 - Normal vegetation greenness 20 - Moderate vegetation deficit 10 - Severe vegetation deficit 10 Extreme vegetation deficit Baringo County 80.31 71.25 The county recorded above normal vegetation greenness in December. Central 85.99 75.59 North 73.05 66.28 South 80.94 72.4 Ravine 84.32 77.22 Mogotio 86.09 79.88 Tiaty 79.42 68.31 Mandera County 73.35 48.7 The county and majority of its sub counties Lafey 78.45 54.2 recorded normal vegetation greenness in North 81.83 54.32 December. Lafey and Mandera North remained Banissa 61.46 46.52 stable at above normal vegetation greenness. West 67.68 42.69 South 74.52 47.81 East 68.37 39.55 Turkana County 76.24 72.66 The county recorded above normal vegetation East 66.91 57.61 greenness during the month under review. South 77.79 72.09 Loima 87.86 83.02 Central 83.62 74.92 West 84.13 84.59 North 67.02 66.7 Marsabit County 62.81 48.04 The county declined to normal vegetation Laisamis 64.18 47.5 greenness in December which is low when Moyale 52.62 41.89 compared to previous month of November. North Horr 64.05 49.9 Saku 73.41 48.27 Wajir County 57.03 34.15 The county declined at moderate vegetation deficit Tarbaj 66.43 37.97 in December. However, two sub counties Wajir North 71.16 48.02 (North and East) and Tarbaj recorded Normal vegetation greenness. Wajir West recorded the South 49.67 33.56 worst at severe vegetation deficit. West 45.49 19 Eldas 58.79 24.6 East 62.69 38.55 Samburu County 68.73 62.26 The County maintained stability with vegetation East 62.11 55.64 greenness levels remaining above normal North 72.95 66.42 throughout the month under review. West 81.28 75.02 Garissa County 49.91 49.31 The county and its two sub counties (Lagdera and Balambala 59.34 54.24 Dadaab) recorded Normal Vegetation greenness in Township 45.98 53.41 the month of December. Ijara 51.44 54.77 Fafi 44.99 52.25 Lagdera 58.51 42.34 Dadaab 45.88 39.29 Isiolo County 63.38 38.14 The County declined to normal vegetation North 63.48 31.86 greenness levels. While Isiolo North declined to moderate vegetation deficit. South 63.22 47.74 Tana River County 42.54 51.49 The county and all its sub counties improved to Bura 49.78 49.5 above normal vegetation greenness levels Galole 37.58 56.42 throughout the month of December. Bura recorded Garsen 39.49 50.11 normal vegetation greenness. Kajiado County 84.97 76.12 The county recorded stability in vegetation Central 87.05 79.55 greenness at above normal vegetation greenness in East 87.42 69.2 the month of November. North 89.27 82.96 South 70.79 69.3 West 94.15 82.53 Laikipia County 76.8 66.08 The county recorded stability in vegetation East 57.53 57.8 greenness at above normal vegetation greenness North 81.18 66.57 during the month under review. West 77.9 69.17 Tharaka County 56.27 45.32 The county recorded above normal vegetation Nithi Chuka 73.32 56.94 greenness. Tharaka sub county recorded Normal Maara 72.63 62.07 vegetation greenness in the month under review. Tharaka 44.63 35.59 West Pokot County 81.14 74.01 The county recorded stability in vegetation Kacheliba 79.23 71.94 greenness in above normal vegetation greenness Kapenguria 82.57 76.57 during the month of December. Pokot south 91.62 83.68 Sigor 77.19 69.9 Embu County 74.65 60.33 The county and its sub counties recorded above Manyatta 79.62 65.66 normal vegetation greenness during the month Mbeere north 70.63 56.98 under review. Mbeere south 73.2 60.12 Runyenjes 83.65 62.67 County 55.99 57.28 The county and all sub counties recorded a stability Kitui central 79.31 60.73 in vegetation greenness at above normal vegetation Kitui greenness during the month of December. Kitui east 52.36 57.06 Kitui rural 87.03 61.94 Kitui south 49.06 56.82 Kitui west 79.32 62.27 Mwingi central 56.64 56.99 Mwingi north 56.93 53.76 Mwingi west 83.53 68.94 County 80.06 66.91 The county recorded above normal vegetation Kaiti 101.13 82.67 greenness in December, which was stable when Makueni Kibwezi east 57.81 52.19 compared to previous month of November. Kibwezi west 72.8 65.9 Kilome 92.78 70.12 Makueni 94.42 75.63 Mbooni 105.84 80.59 County The county recorded above normal vegetation 73.16 59.5 greenness across the sub-counties during the month Meru Buuri 84.88 67.24 of December. Central Imenti 76.62 60.48 Igembe central 66.65 56.8 Igembe north 68 53.07 Igembe south 60.05 55.64 North Imenti 81.82 53.71 South Imenti 81.47 70.92 Tigania east 65.03 54.65 Tigania west 74.09 54.25 Nyeri County 81.42 72.29 The county remained stable recording above Kieni 81.61 71.28 normal vegetation greenness in December. Mathira 86.2 77.39 Mukurweini 74.28 70.13 Nyeri town 74.3 65.01 Othaya 80.09 74.14 Tetu 82.7 73.9 County 26.44 34.57 The county recorded moderate vegetation deficit in Kilifi Ganze 22.1 27.52 the month of December. Kaloleni, Ganze and Kilifi Kaloleni 32.43 31.03 south, recorded moderate vegetation deficit while Kilifi north 33.97 40.67 Kilifi North, Magarini and Malindi sub counties Kilifi south 35.95 25.89 recorded an improvement to normal vegetation Magarini 25.67 37.63 greenness. Malindi 30.33 40.27 Rabai 35.48 22.89 County 31.04 31.5 The vegetation condition index recorded was Kwale Kinango 26.09 28.16 moderate vegetation deficit in December which was Lunga Lunga 31.73 31.45 a stable when compared to last month. Kinango and Matuga 47.69 42.98 Lungalunga sub counties recorded moderate vegetation greenness while Msabweni and Matuga Msambweni 43.97 42.22 recorded normal vegetation greenness. County 57.06 54.59 The county recorded stability in vegetation Lamu east 71.04 60.42 condition at above normal vegetation greenness Lamu condition while Lamu West sub county recorded Normal vegetation greenness during the month of Lamu west 48.98 51.22 December. County 49.56 44.44 The county and two sub counties (Mwatate and Taita Taveta Mwatate 40.75 37.86 Voi) remained in Normal vegetation greenness Taveta 64.03 52.51 compared with the previous month of November. Voi 44.27 41.22 Wundanyi 70.12 64.6 County 76.98 79.01 The County remained at above normal vegetation Narok Emurua Dikirr 73.95 82.1 greenness in the month of December which was Kilgoris 70.22 71.36 stable when compared to the last month of Narok east 75.42 77.17 November. Narok north 65.14 69.89 Narok south 83.45 83.59 Narok west 83.76 83.58