Heavy rainfall at the onset of the Long Rains Season (March-June) has caused flooding in several locations in the country affecting an estimated1 8, 360 people. Flooding, between1-8 March has been reported in at least nine districts in Northern, North-Eastern and Western parts of Kenya. An estimated 11 people are reported dead, infrastructure of unknown value is damaged and hundreds of livestock and farming areas have been washed away. Roads and bridges have been washed away, posing a logistical challenge for transportation of humanitarian aid. The districts affected include, Mandera, Moyale Marsabit, Samburu, Turkana, Isiolo, Nandi Central, Homa Bay and Nakuru. Close

OCHA’s analysis of drought conditions shows improvement across the country between November 2009 and January 2010. Areas that suffered severe dry conditions in July 2009 in the north, north -eastern and southern parts of Kenya all show improvement from emergency to Alert levels over a three- month period. Pasture regenerated and contributed to improved livestock body conditions, milk production increased and water sources recharged reducing trekking distances for both livestock and household use. The improvement is attributed to the prolonged and enhanced short rains season, usually occurring in October- December; this time the rains were received up to mid- January 2010. The KMD weather predictions of fairly good rainfall in the March-June Long Rains Season will contribute further to relieving drought stresses brought about by the 2008/2009 consecutive deficient rain seasons. Close

The short rains of Oct-Dec 2009 which extended into mid-January/early February in some areas are expected to improve household food security. The Government and WFP have already indicated that beneficiary figures of general food distribution will reduce from the 3.8 million people in coming months. The food pipeline, already operating at constrained levels, was able to reach only 1.1 million people out of the targeted 3.8 million in Janaury 2010. Fews Net further states that “distributions during the January cycle are targeting provisions of food to the 3.8 million persons at 50 percent of the ration. The reduction in ration has been necessitated by continued food pipeline constraints, as a result of late overseas arrivals of food, coupled with under-funding. The situation resulted in missed distributions in some districts in October and November. WFP is mobilizing resources for local and regional purchase to bridge the gaps." Close

The Pokots and Turkanas, traditionally rival pastoral communities in northern Kenya, signed a peace agreement on 13th February to end hostilities between the two communities. Three Members of Parliament from the two communities participated with their local Councilors; local elders instrumental in shaping community views also participated in the meeting with the Provincial Administration. The peace agreement entails among other things, 100 days of truce and a ceasefire during which time there will be no raids, no stealing of animals and free movement of people; the opening of livestock markets and free movement of members of both communities would permit unrestricted access to markets at Kapedo and Nginyang; formation of Pasture Management and Gracing Committees to harmonize pasture-related issues to avoid conflict. Frequent meetings between provincial administrators from both East Pokot and Turkana East Districts will be organized. Conflict in Turkana and Pokot has claimed 15 lives so far this year, and hundreds of livestock has been lost in cattle raids. Close

OCHA led the Inter-Agency Security Mobility Mission with International Office for Migration (IOM) and Institute for Security Studies (ISS) to the North-Eastern Province on 22-26 February 2010. The Mission highlighted the deteriorating security in the border areas linked to the situation in neighbouring Somalia. Humanitarian conditions in these marginalized areas are quite bad and the insecurity precludes access by aid agencies. Nevertheless, local communities and civil society actors have shown marked resilience and find ways to continue to operate despite the challenges. In the areas close to the Dadaab refugee camps, host community frustration at the growing numbers of refugees has bred hostility between the two groups. Environmental degradation is worsening in the settled areas and there is a competition for natural resources amongst local populations. Kenya hosts a total of 373, 889 refugees of which 263, 939, are hosted in overcrowded Dadaab camps in Garissa. Close

The outbreak of cholera has cumulatively affected 11 districts nationwide with a total of 364 cases, 8 deaths and a CFR of 2.3% since January 2010. So far the outbreaks have been contained in 4 districts. For the Districts which have reported cases in February 2010, a total of 83 cases with 3 deaths and a CFR of 3.6% have been recorded. In the week ending 15th February 2010, seven (7) districts (Kajiado, Westlands, Siaya, Mbeere, Tharaka, Meru south and Pokot central) reported new cases. Deaths in remote areas like Pokot are attributed to lack of access to health facilities, which are in some cases located 70km walking distance from villages. Close