Why Kenya shouldnt have drought amidst the plenty that we have

The 2019 Population and Housing Census shows that the country has over 47.6 million persons that should now be approaching 50 million, who will require adequate supply of food despite the recurrence of droughts in Kenya. In other countries, it’s only a small number of persons that are involved in farming and livestock rearing. In USA and Canada, only 4% of such people undertake farming hence supplying food to 96% of the population, while in Israel, only 3% undertake farming and hence supply food to the 97%. Food supply in these countries has developed because of the increased focus on specialization and division of labour, as observed by Adam Smith in 1844. When farmers are specialized in their trade, they are able to concentrate on what works and also be able to utilize research developed in their countries on the farming activities. These countries have also made tremendous reforms in their land systems such that land is used productively and economically. In these countries, you cannot hoard land or use it for speculative purposes because there are huge tax regimes and fines that discourage people from such behaviour. It can be seen that the droughts we are witnessing are caused by many factors that have led us to keep singing the same song for centuries. The policies on land, the land regulation and access plays a significant factor in eliminating droughts once and for all. Three major things need to be done to eliminate droughts in Kenya.

First, there is need to undertake strategic coordination between the various actors that have been active in the many droughts stricken areas. Many NGOs have been operational in these areas for long, but the problem still persists. Coordination will make farmers more drought and climate change resilient. Secondly, there is need to use and demonstrate innovative ways of passing the vital information on drought and climate change to farmers through drones, satellite ICT and mobile phones. Three, there is need for the increased cooperation, collaboration in the socio-economic and political spheres of food and security systems. This will lead to the development of local solutions to drought challenges, including development of Public Private Partnerships to economically and strategically utilize our vast lands.