KENYA* (2 June)
Heavy rains and floods in April and May 2003 displaced tens of thousands of people and left them destitute. Large cropped areas were also destroyed. The worst affected areas include the low-lying areas near Lake Victoria in western Kenya, where rivers burst their banks submerging fields, and Tana River District in the east. These crop losses coupled with an expected early end to the long season rains prompted a downward revision of the forecast long-rains maize output from the long-term average of 2.2 million tonnes to 1.8 million tonnes.
Most pastoral areas also received above average rains in April and May that caused some flooding. However, serious food problems remain, particularly in Turkana, Baringo and West Pokot Districts, where the effects of prolonged droughts remain. In addition, a rise in conflict and livestock raiding are exacerbating the food supply problems.