By MULEMBE TIMES TEAM
June 16, 2026| Trans Nzoia County Agriculture Executive Mrs. Phanice Naliaka Khatundi (pictured) has called on farmers to remain calm as the region grapples with a prolonged dry spell, even as she reaffirmed the county’s commitment to safeguarding its status as Kenya’s breadbasket.
In a statement to the press, Mrs. Khatundi acknowledged the dry conditions that have persisted across parts of the county, particularly affecting Kwanza, Saboti, and Endebess sub-counties, where crop performance has visibly deteriorated due to insufficient rainfall. She warned that the dry spell is likely to have significant adverse effects on key crops including maize, beans, horticultural produce, tea, and coffee, with many already experiencing moisture stress, poor pollination, and increased pest infestations .
“If adequate rainfall is not received within the next two weeks, crop yields across the affected areas could decline substantially,” Mrs. Khatundi cautioned. She further warned that continued dry conditions beyond this period may result in even greater losses, particularly for crops currently at critical growth stages.
A Nation Under Pressure
The situation in Trans Nzoia mirrors a broader national crisis. The Kenya Meteorological Department has projected that while some regions may receive near-average to above-average rainfall during the March-April-May 2026 long rains season, others—including parts of the Southeastern Lowlands, Northeastern Kenya, and the Coast—are expected to record below-average totals with poor distribution .
The National Drought Management Authority reports that the drought situation has improved in several Arid and Semi-Arid Lands counties following March rains. However, Mandera and Wajir remain in the “Alarm” phase, while seven counties including Garissa, Isiolo, and Turkana remain on “Alert” .
By March 2026, 3.3 million people were food insecure across Kenya, with numbers projected to rise to 4.1 million by June, including 700,000 people facing emergency conditions, according to the Kenya Humanitarian Snapshot . The crisis has been exacerbated by one of the driest October-December rainy seasons on record in 2025, following closely on the heels of the devastating 2020-2022 drought .
Trans Nzonia’s Resilience Efforts
Despite the challenges, Mrs. Khatundi remains optimistic about the county’s agricultural future. Trans Nzoia, which produces nearly 40 per cent of Kenya’s maize, is implementing a new Agroecology Policy designed to promote environmentally sustainable and climate-resilient agricultural development . “We want to work with nature rather than against it, to produce food in ways that are sustainable, viable and inclusive,” she stated during recent policy discussions .
The county government, under Governor George Natembeya, has also distributed free maize seeds to over 300,000 small-scale farmers in a Sh139 million initiative now in its third year, aiming to boost food production and shield farmers from rising input costs . Governor Natembeya has expressed confidence that the county will produce seven million bags of maize in the coming harvest season, reinforcing Trans Nzoia’s position as the nation’s breadbasket .
Farmers have been advised to adopt moisture-conservation practices, monitor pest infestations, and seek guidance from agricultural extension officers as the county continues to assess the situation and explore mitigation measures.