(Bloomberg) -- The number of people facing a food crisis in Kenya could reach 2 million in July as the effects of a drought that hit food production and caused prices to soar continue to bite.
People needing food assistance will increase from 1.6 million in May, the National Drought Management Authority said in a report.
A broadly similar drought in 2017 caused economic growth to slow to its weakest pace in six years. The central bank Governor Patrick Njoroge has warned the drought may curb this year's economic growth at 5.9% compared with earlier forecasts of 6.3%. In April, higher food prices contributed to inflation accelerating to the highest rate of 6.6% in 19 years.
“The food security situation has worsened,” the state's drought-management agency said. “Crop across the country was affected by the delayed, poorly distributed and cumulatively below-average March-to-May long rains.”
Corn Imports
Of the 47 counties in the East African nation, the most affected are Turkana, Marsabit, Baringo, Wajir, Garissa, Tana River and Isiolo, it said.
READ: Drought Leaves 1 Million People in Kenya Needing Food Aid
Kenya may import 1.3 million tons of corn in the 12 months starting July, more than double the previous year's purchases, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Tanzania said last week that it received a request from Kenya for purchases of 1 million tons of the grain.
Between April and May, wholesale corn prices in Kenya rose as much as 23% amid expectations of a fall in supply. The prices are 8%-12% above the five-year averages, according to the drought-management agency.
“Prices have been following seasonal trends at depressed levels in 2019 until from April, where they began to rise unseasonably driven by speculation in the market,” according to the agency's report.
READ: Extreme Weather Is Shaking Up Africa's Corn Trade This Year
To contact the reporter on this story: Eric Ombok in Nairobi at eombok@bloomberg.net
To contact the editors responsible for this story: David Malingha at dmalingha@bloomberg.net, Michael Gunn
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