Kenya’s 23 counties in arid and semi-arid lands (ASALs) are home to over 10 million people and constitute over 70 percent of Kenya’s landmass. ASAL counties have suffered and continue to suffer from recurrent drought, human conflict, and a legacy of marginalization by government and lack of international investments.
Kenya’s 23 counties in arid and semi-arid lands (ASALs) are home to over 10 million people and constitute over 70 percent of Kenya’s landmass. ASAL counties have suffered and continue to suffer from recurrent drought, human conflict, and a legacy of marginalization by government and lack of international investments.
With the adoption of the 2010 Constitution, Kenya set itself on a path toward devolution—a new system of governance that includes 47 county governments with governors and legislatures. The Agile Harmonized Assistance for Devolved Institutions (AHADI) is to support Kenya’s vision of devolution. AHADI aims to promote governance systems that are transparent, accountable, effective in service delivery, and responsive to empowered citizens by working at national and county government levels.
Creating new and more profitable opportunities in agriculture is central to Kenya’s development. Millions of families rely on the success of their small farms to pay for school fees, health care and household goods and yet semi-arid counties are characterized by exceptionally low farm productivity due to erratic, unreliable rainfall. Farmers lack incentives to invest in improved production methods due to frequent crop failures.
Agriculture is the engine of economic growth, and a valuable source of income for most Kenyans. Most farmers work without modern seeds and technology or adequate financial or extension services. About 75 percent of Kenyans derive all or part of their livelihoods from the sector and it accounts for 18 percent of the gross domestic product. Only 20 percent of the country’s land is arable, and maximum yields have not been reached in these areas, leaving considerable potential for increase in productivity.
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Last updated: July 30, 2018
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