Kenyan farmers have been urged to brace for lower crop yields, with the World Bank warning that projected El Niño raises the risk of rain disruptions and unusually high temperatures.

🇰🇪 Breaking It Down

In its Food and Nutrition Security Update report published on Tuesday, October 6, the lender said reduced rains and high temperatures are expected to reduce crop yields in Kenya, Ethiopia, Somalia, South Sudan and Uganda.

“Prolonged rainfall deficits and abnormally high temperatures are expected to reduce yields across Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, and northeastern Uganda, with a below-average Meher harvest anticipated in Ethiopia,” it said.

The World Bank further projected that about 62 million people in East and Southern Africa would require urgent food assistance by March 2027.

📌 What You Need to Know

In its report, the World Bank said El Niño conditions are expected to strengthen through late 2026 and persist into early 2027, raising the likelihood of disrupted rainfall, extreme heat, drought and flooding.

The Bretton Woods Institution also revealed the impact would vary depending on rainfall patterns, markets and the ability of countries to respond to the weather shocks.

“The projected strong El Niño increases the likelihood of drier-than-average conditions across Southern Africa, with below-normal rainfall expected at the start of the 2026/27 season,” the bank added.

The warning is set to raise concerns among Kenyan farmers who are depending on the October-November-December short rains, particularly those from counties facing food insecurity.

The World Bank identified conflict, economic deterioration and El Niño-induced weather shocks as major drivers of food insecurity in eastern and southern Africa.

The lender also cautioned that the impact of El Niño would not be uniform across East Africa, with some areas potentially receiving above-average rains.

📰 Source: Kenyans.co.ke