Farmers across Murang’a County are counting heavy losses following the failure of the short October–December rains, which have left germinating crops withered and fields parched.
The depressed rains, which lasted barely two weeks, have devastated early planters and raised fears of looming food shortages and rising prices across the region.
The Kenya Meteorological Department had earlier warned of below-average rainfall in Central Kenya, urging farmers to grow drought-tolerant crops.
However, many had already planted by the time the rains subsided. “We had high hopes when the rains began,” said Julius Maina, a small-scale farmer from Maragua.
He added, “The crops germinated and sprouted well, but after a few days the rains disappeared and the young plants dried up. The soil has completely dried, and the crops have withered. I’ll now have to buy new seeds if the rains return.”
In Kiharu, Sarah Njeri, who invested in tomatoes and capsicum, said the dry spell has dashed her hopes of a profitable harvest.
“Tomatoes require consistent watering, and I rely solely on rainfall. I had spent over Ksh30,000 on seedlings, fertilizer, and labour, but nearly everything is drying up,” she said, adding that irrigation is too costly for smallholders.
At Kimorori, David Mwangi, a horticultural farmer, lamented losing hundreds of seedlings planted during the Mazingira Day reforestation and agribusiness initiative.
ALSO READ:
UoN deepens research ties with German university to combat aflatoxins in Kenyan food
“I planted 500 Rudolph Hass avocado and passion fruit seedlings, but almost all are drying up despite my attempts to water them. The sun has been too harsh,” he said.
Murang’a County Director of Meteorology Peter Karanja confirmed that the region is experiencing below-average rainfall, warning that the trend could worsen food insecurity if it persists.
He advised farmers to seek guidance from agricultural extension officers on suitable crop varieties, water conservation methods, and to consider short-season crops such as sorghum, millet, and green grams.
Agricultural expert Michael Mwaniki warned that the dry spell could severely impact maize, beans, and vegetables — the county’s staple foods.
“Many families depend on small farms for their daily food supply. When crops fail, people not only lose income but also face nutritional challenges,” he noted.
The October–December short rains are vital for farmers in Murang’a and other Central Kenya counties, providing the main growing season before the long rains in March. With fields now drying up and farmers anxious about replanting, the county faces an uncertain agricultural season ahead.
By Our reporter
Get more stories from our website: Sacco Review.
For comments and clarifications, write to: Saccoreview@
Kindly follow us via our social media pages on Facebook: Sacco Review Newspaper for timely updates
Stay ahead of the pack! Grab the latest Sacco Review newspaper!
