By Jack Ohito, DeveReporter, Siaya County
Highlights
- “Even if it rains now, there will be no change in the harvest.”
- “Had we known the situation earlier, we would have planted drought resistant crops like cassava and sweet potatoes,” says Mrs. Awuor
Victor Radido, a farmer, gazes at his farming and noting how the maize cobs have remained small and immature, nowhere near ready, not even for roasting.
“Even if it rains now, there will be no change in the harvest,” he says as if to himself.
Speaking further, Victor Radido says that he followed the meteorological department’s forecast, trusting their prediction because, as a farmer, rainfall is his only hope.
Mr. Radido no longer expects to reap any harvest from his one-and-a-half-acre maize farm, where he normally harvests not less than 20 bags.
Even the UN is now concerned about Food Security as SDG 2 Targets are tested
The United Nations proposed several measures to combat drought-driven food insecurity. Central to these efforts, is Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 2: Zero Hunger, which aims to end hunger, achieve food security, improve nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture by 2030.
Mrs. Awuor, a resident of Mahola Ulawe in Alego Usonga, advices that farmers should always consider planting other crops, which can withstand drought since no one knows God’s plans.
“We should mix maize with other crops to diversify efforts towards food security,” says Mrs. Awuor.
Promised Rains, Massive Losses
Western and Nyanza regions usually experience two planting seasons. In 2025, promising signs of rainfall appeared at the beginning of October, according to Mrs. Awuor.
“We were told by the weatherman that there would be plenty of rain, so I took my time and prepared extra land.,” she explains.
Speaking to RBNews, Charles Juma from Komenya Rabar in Alego Usonga, expresses concerns at the level of hunger looming over the community, in view of the impending poor harvest.
“This season is gone, and nothing whatsoever can be reaped. Some farms have already been raided by cows,” Mr. Juma explains.
Local Clergy Raises Alarm Over the Looming Crisis
RBNews also spoke to Bishop Zach Owang of Christ the King Church about the issue.
“I ploughed a small portion expecting four to five bags of maize, but it seems I might not get anything,” Bishop Owang says.
He dismissed claims that drought is a curse from God, instead attributing it to climatic changes and people’s reluctance to follow guidance from their leaders.
“This is not a curse per se, but a warning to the people to plant trees as instructed by their leaders.”
Agro dealer, Mr. Meshack Odede Danga, supports the weatherman.
“The public must understand that the period of long rain merged into a section of the short rain period, and this led to late preparation by farmers,” he explained.
During the Jamhuri Day celebration in Siaya County, South East Alego Ward MCA, Hon Masidis Madowo, wondered why farmers often opted for crops like maize, and turning away nutritious traditional food like sorghum. She intends to take this discussion further, through the assembly disaster management committee.
Related stories
https://www.citizen.digital/article/govt-on-high-alert-as-21-million-kenyans-in-32-counties-face-severe-drought-risk-n374494
https://maarifa.cog.go.ke/sites/default/files/2024-07/Siaya%20County%20Climate%20Change%20Action%20Plan%20%28NAKURU%20FINAL%29.pdf
https://nation.africa/kenya/counties/siaya/prolonged-drought-leaves-poor-residents-of-siaya-homa-bay-on-edge-4117584
