Kitui County is grappling with a stressed food security situation following a poorly performing rainy season between March and May, which left crops failing across much of the region. The 2024 Long Rains Food and Nutrition Security Assessment Report indicates that 61,500 residents from 11,182 households skipped meals due to insufficient food. Overall, 246,000 people are classified in Integrated Food Security Phase 2, while 984,000 fall under Phase 1, highlighting widespread vulnerability across the county’s households.
The report attributes the low yields to erratic rainfall patterns, with showers concentrated in April lasting only 30 to 40 days instead of the typical 60 or more. Poorly distributed rains, combined with attacks from pests such as caterpillars and beetles, devastated maize and cowpea crops. Late-planted maize suffered total crop failure as rainfall ceased during critical growth stages, leaving households with limited food reserves. The county’s mean household food consumption score also dropped slightly from 51 percent in May to 49 percent in June.
Officials warn that if the situation persists, urgent intervention may be required to prevent severe hunger. Experts emphasize the need for emergency food aid alongside long-term strategies, including investment in climate-resilient agriculture and sustainable water management, to safeguard food security in this semi-arid region. County authorities are closely monitoring the situation to support affected communities and mitigate future risks.