The department announced that the country will experience the El Nino rains possibly from November 1, 2009 to sometime next year. The El Nino rains are expected to cause destruction and even death but they offer hope to the many farmers and pastoralists who have experienced serious losses over the past years.
The prolonged drought in Kenya has had devastating effects on the farmers who have been the hardest hit. The former bread basket of Kenya, Rift Valley has seen farmers make serious losses due to poor crop yield. The country is facing a deficit of maize which is a staple food in Kenya and prices of maize flour have sky rocketed.
Adverse Effects of El Nino
Pastoralists have also been hit by the drought as many of them have lost their herds due to lack of water and feed. The pastoralists have resorted to driving their cattle into towns and this has caused conflict between them and the residents.
The rains which are not new to Kenyans are expected to lead to more misery as farmers tried to beat the clock and planted in the hopes of cultivating their land in time for the rains. According to a report by the Famine Early Warning System Network, the rains will have devastating effects.
The report states that the rains could cause massive livestock deaths, huge crops damage and soil erosion. With the herders already experiencing massive loses, the rains will be a gift and the curse for them as their herds are at risk of dying from the expected heavy rains at the same time providing the most needed pasture.
In The Wake of Destruction
Different parts of the country are already experiencing heavy rains and the adverse effects have started to show. Daily Nation Online (October 21, 2009) reported that a section of the Nairobi-Mombasa Highway was rendered impassable after a heavy downpour leaving motorists stranded for up to 12 hours.
With many Kenyans pegging their hopes and dreams on the rains there have been reports that El Nino is already causing deaths in some parts of the county. Five people were reported to have lost their lives in Kisumu city after it was pounded by heavy rains.
Kenyans are very familiar with the El Nino rains after the country experienced the same in 1997 and 1998. The rains caused havoc as many lost their livelihood as well as lives. However, the Meteorological Department has assured Kenyans that the rains will not be as heavy as the 1997-98 rains.
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