Kenya seeks a staggering 25 million tons of maize to close the food deficit and feed over 50 million populace afflicted by the recurring El Nino induced drought and other headwinds.

The recurring climate induced crisis in the 58 million populated East Africa state bordered by the Indian Ocean, Tanzania, Uganda, South Sudan, Ethiopia, and Somalia has been devastating to the majority citizenry because of among other characteristics, by the tropical coastal strip, the Great Rift Valley, fertile central highlands, and northern deserts.

The Climate change in Kenya crisis remains critical, threatening food security, displacing communities, wiping the agricultural sector input into the national economy.

Recent years have seen Kenya experienced prolonged dry spells affect millions of people. Over 80% of Kenya is arid or semi-arid, making land vulnerable to desertification and reducing pasture for livestock.

Extreme weather harms key sectors like agriculture and tourism. Climate damage could cost up to 2.6% of Kenya’s GDP by 2030, a tragedy that has prompted the Government to join hands with the private sector to seek maize within East Africa and neighboring regions, Southern African Development Community (SADC).

“We are looking for substantial amount of food across Africa to close the deficit of 25 million tons of maize that we are need to feed the people in Kenya which has gravely been affected by the climate change that has reversed all the gains we have made in the agriculture sector,” said Baita Trading Limited Director and delegation leader, Martin Kinoti in Lusaka Wednesday.

Speaking on the sidelines of the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between Zambia and Kenya in Lusaka for the former to offset 540,000 tons of the Non GMO-A-Grade white maize, Mr. Kinoti noted that the food shortage was dire and needs replenishing, forcing and the Government and the private sector to join hands.

“We are from the private sector and not the Government, and we are working jointly to secure as much maize as possible. We have made inquiries from within East Africa and others and we hope we shall buy as much as possible,”

And Zambia and Kenya signed a MoU to sale and ship 540,000 metric tons of the staple food to the East African state in six tranches with the first 100,000 each expected to be undertaken upon finalization of logistics.

The commodity will be priced at prevailing market rates as Zambia seeks to fulfil regional collaboration with its neighbours and other states on the continent in ‘food sharing’.

Zambia secured a bumper harvest of over 5.1 million metric tons, creating a strong surplus.

Deputy Secretary to the Cabinet for Finance and Economic Development Siazongo Siakalenge welcomed Kenya’s approach to secure the maize from Zambia, forming it part of the majority countries seeking the commodity.

He notes that the MoU will act as an impetus to other countries to tap into Zambia’s bumper harvest and will be a driver to Zambia attaining the projected 10 million metric tons output of the gain in the next four years. He assured local farmers of a ready market.

The surplus, Dr. Siakalenge noted will provide an opportunity to earn foreign exchange, support farmers and strengthen economic growth.

Suresh Desai, the FRA Board Chairperson said the request by Kenya to procure maize from Zambia was a major booster in attaining the Growth Agenda envisaged to bolster Zambia’s economy, using agriculture and other growth sectors.