Mike Mwaniki

7 September 2010

Nairobi — Farmers should liaise with the Agriculture Ministry on the best crops to plant during the short rains season that will be characterised by depressed rainfall in most parts of the country.

The October to December rains season will be adversely affected by the occurrence of the La Nina phenomenon resulting in poor rains in most areas, Meteorological Department Director Joseph Mukabana said Tuesday.

Dr Mukabana said indigenous crops such as sweet potatoes, sim sim and cassava among others were some of the crops that were likely to do well in such conditions.

"Long dry spells are likely to occur over most parts of the country and more so in the Arid and Semi Arid areas especially during the months of October and December.

"However, a few storms may occur during the season's peak month of November," Dr Mukabana said.

He warned of a disease outbreak due to the expected poor rains and urged ministries charged with health to be on high alert.

"Diseases associated with water scarcity and poor sanitation such as typhoid and cholera are likely to emerge in various parts of the country due to depressed rainfall.

"The Public Health and Medical Services ministries should, therefore, be on the lookout for such cases by ensuring that health facilities are equipped with the necessary drugs."

During this period, western Kenya should expect normal rainfall and farmers should therefore liaise closely with the Agriculture ministry to maximise on the expected crop yield.

"In pastoral areas of northeastern Kenya, foliage and pasture are expected to deteriorate as a result of the expected poor rainfall performance during the season.

"The Ministry of Livestock should, therefore work closely with pastoralists and monitor the situation to avoid loss of animals," Dr Mukabana said.

Due to the expected depressed rainfall, dusty conditions are likely to prevail in most roads in various parts of the country.

"This may result into poor visibility and motorists should drive carefully to avoid accidents. However, in some parts of Central and Western provinces, flash floods may still occur resulting in transport problems after making the roads slippery posing danger to motorists and pedestrians," he said.

Dr Mukabana said during the season, major river catchment areas for the country's hydroelectric power generating dams are expected to receive normal rainfall tending to below normal.

"This means that the capacity for hydroelectric power generation in the Seven-Forks dams may reduce slightly," he said.

According to the forecast, in Kakamega, Busia, Kitale, Eldoret, Kisii, Kericho, Kisumu, Nyamira, Gucha, and Kuria the areas are expected to continue experiencing rainfall during the first week of October upto to September and cease during the third to fourth week of December.

"In Lodwar, Lokitaung and Lokichoggio, the onset of the rains is expected during the third to fourth week of October while cessation is expected in the first to second week of December.

"At the same time, Meru, Embu, Nyeri, Murang'a, Nanyuki and Nairobi area are expected to experience their onsets in the third to fourth week of October with the rains ceasing during the third to fourth week of December," Dr Mukabana said.