WB warns of spike in social spending on drought and war

 The World bank has fingered worsening drought for devastating food security saying it will spike social spending on food assistance.

According to the 25th edition of the World Bank Kenya economic update dubbed Aiming High: Securing Education to Sustain the Recovery, the war in Ukraine is further weighing on global economic recovery from Covid-19 pandemic.

The report notes Kenya’s economic performance remained strong in the early months of 2022, but external challenges have mounted vulnerabilities. 

Using the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification, World Bank estimates that 3.1 million Kenyans (out of 13.6 million) living in counties with arid and semi-arid land, are food insecure. The baseline economic projections assume that below average rains will hamper agricultural performance.

“While Kenya’s economy has been resilient, the multiple recent shocks show the urgency of improving social protection mechanisms to cushion the most vulnerable households,” said World Bank Country Director, Keith Hansen.