Food security experts have warned that the devastation caused by floods on agricultural land will trigger a surge in food prices.
This will be compounded by diminished harvests and scarcity of essential commodities in the market.
According to the Kenya Red Cross, approximately 40,000 acres (16,800 hectares) of cropland have been destroyed, intensifying concerns over agricultural output.
Furthermore, 40,000 households have been displaced by floods over the past two months, underscoring the magnitude of the crisis and its far-reaching implications for food security.
Agriculture Principal Secretary Paul Ronoh said the detrimental effects of floods on food security have become increasingly evident, with widespread waterlogging wreaking havoc on crop production.
Speaking on the widespread devastation caused by the floods, Rono noted that the Kenya Seed Company has so far lost about 2,000 acres of seed in Baringo county due to flooding, highlighting the significant impact of climate change.
"Agriculture has borne the brunt of the flood fury unleashed by climate change. The destructive power of floods has been witnessed by all," he said.
Rono underscored the long-term consequences of flooding on soil health, pointing out that leaching could alter nutrient availability.
Further, extensive waterlogging has severely disrupted crop production, highlighting the importance of post-flood soil analysis for farmers to gauge nutrient levels accurately.
The Agriculture Soil Management Policy 2023 is key in addressing this challenge, the PS said.
“This policy will provide a framework for assessing soils across different ecological zones and determining their nutrient content. It will also serve as a roadmap for soil treatment and guide the implementation of interventions to improve soil health," he added.
Tigania West MP John Mutunga, who chairs the Agriculture Committee at the National Assembly, said excessive water saturation may impede root respiration and stunt crop growth, which may lead to potential losses in this year's harvest.
"The prolonged wet season poses a significant threat to our agricultural output," he said.
Soil erosion, which not only depletes valuable topsoil but also disrupts soil structure, will ultimately compromise long-term productivity, the MP said.
To mitigate these challenges, Mutunga urged farmers to implement conservation measures such as terracing and the strategic placement of grass strips to minimise soil erosion and manage runoff effectively.
Emphasising the role of soil and water conservation, the committee chair said loss of soil fertility due to erosion could have enduring consequences for future agricultural seasons.
To combat the effects of waterlogging, which results in the leaching of essential minerals, rendering fertilisers ineffective and necessitating additional investments, Mutunga encouraged farmers to explore alternative methods such as organic options to replenish soil nutrients and sustain productivity.
He also warned of potential nutrient deficiencies in crops, resulting in reduced growth potential and vigour.
“This underscores the urgency of addressing these challenges comprehensively to safeguard food security and ensure sustainable agricultural practices in the face of increasingly unpredictable weather patterns,” Mutunga said.
Timothy Njagi, a research fellow at the Tegemeo Institute of Agricultural Policy and Development, Egerton University, highlighted the repercussions of the floods on both infrastructure and agriculture.
The damage caused by the floods will disrupt the transportation network and agricultural production, consequently impacting the prices of goods and services.
Data from the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics shows inflation has been on the decline since February, hitting a two-year low of five per cent last month, mainly as a result of lower food prices.
Speaking to the Star in an interview, Njagi pointed out the multifaceted effects of the flooding, saying the destruction of crops is a threat to food security, while financial losses incurred by businesses are likely to diminish household incomes and consumer purchasing power.
Moreover, the plight of rural communities - many of whom store their food in their homes - is heightened after homes were ravaged by the floods.
In some of the worst-hit areas, farmers are facing the prospect of complete crop failure, jeopardising their livelihoods. He cited the case of the Mwea Irrigation Scheme, where approximately 2,000 acres of land were submerged, resulting in estimated losses of Sh60 million.
Njagi warned of potential price hikes in perishable crops such as vegetables and pulses, which may have been waterlogged or swept away by the floods. This, combined with soil degradation from leaching, could trigger food shortages, further driving up prices nationwide.
“Prices of perishable crops such as vegetables and pulses are likely to go up as such crops may have been waterlogged or swept away. This means the country is likely to experience shortages on key food commodities, which will trigger price increase in the market.”