Baringo stares at 75% maize crop failure as drought bites
By Faith Lagat, July 27, 2026Baringo County is facing a sharp decline in maize production after prolonged dry conditions destroyed crops across key farming areas, raising fresh concerns over Kenya’s food security as other grain-producing regions also report poor harvests.
The county government estimates that nearly 75 per cent of the expected maize harvest has been lost this season following months of failed rains that left thousands of hectares of farmland dry and unproductive in Mochongoi and Marigat.
The losses come only weeks after Trans-Nzoia, one of Kenya’s traditional grain baskets, also recorded widespread crop failure due to erratic weather, increasing fears of tighter maize supplies in the months ahead.
Farmers count heavy losses
Across Mochongoi, farmers who invested heavily in the planting season are watching their crops wither before maturity.
Caroline Cheserem, who planted three hectares of maize, has lost both her crop and the loan she took to finance the season. Many households that depend on maize for food and income now face significant financial strain after losing their expected harvest.
Irrigation has provided little relief. At the Pekerra irrigation scheme in Marigat, declining water levels in River Pekerra have reduced the amount of land that can be irrigated to less than 50 hectares, leaving irrigated farms exposed to the same moisture stress affecting rain-fed agriculture.
County assessments show the damage is most severe in the lowland areas, where extreme heat has reduced yields well below expectations, with crop losses reaching as high as 80 per cent in some locations.
Officials warn that reduced maize production is likely to push up the prices of maize and maize flour, adding pressure on households already grappling with the rising cost of living.
Drought and insecurity deepen crisis
The drought has been compounded by insecurity in parts of Mochongoi, disrupting farming activities during the growing season.
The effects are also being felt beyond crop production as shrinking pasture forces pastoralists to move livestock into forested areas in search of grazing land.
“There has been a persistent failure of rainfall in most parts of the country. And this is a big risk, particularly for our forested ecosystems, because we have a periodic migration of pastoral communities with their livestock into our forested areas in search of pasture and greener pastures,” Alex Lemarkoko, Chief Conservator of Forests said.
Baringo has traditionally supplied maize to neighbouring counties, meaning the poor harvest is expected to increase pressure on national grain stocks alongside reduced production in other farming regions.
Government prepares for next weather challenge
The local crop failure comes as the government warns of another weather-related challenge in the months ahead.
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, on Friday, July 24, 2026, announced a revised weather outlook after chairing a meeting of Cabinet Secretaries and Principal Secretaries.
“Following depressed rains in the cereal-producing parts of Kenya this season, a lower harvest is expected in the coming weeks. This situation is predicted to result in El Niño rains from October until January next year,” he said.
The government says it is preparing through subsidised farm inputs for the next planting season, food security interventions for vulnerable households and implementation of the National El Niño Contingency Plan, which includes reinforcing roads, clearing drainage systems and pre-positioning emergency supplies.