distributions to pastoralist communities early in a food crisis, and continuing after market and

pasture conditions have improved, with the central aim of enabling beneficiaries to maintain their

livestock holdings and avoid forced sales of breeding stock.   There is some controversy about the

effects of this strategy compared to the alternative of market interventions to purchase livestock

early in a crisis, thus supporting purchasing power and facilitating controlled de stocking (such as

has been done under DPIRP).   Given the broad terms of reference of this study, it was not

possible to go into this issue in depth.  It is therefore 

RECOMMENDED that a study be funded to

compare the targeting and distributional effects of these two alternative approaches to

28

assisting pastoralists during food crises, selecting two or more contrasting areas of Kenya

for the comparison

.

Finally, it is 

RECOMMENDED that the GoK develop a disaster preparedness policy, including

29

principles for the use and targeting of food aid

.  This could potentially be done with UNDP

support, as in Tanzania and Uganda, and could also be an issue for discussion and exchange of

views at regional level within the EAC (Chapter 2.).

If such a policy, and the political will for improved targeting of government food aid, is established

in Nairobi,  then there would be considerable scope for capacity and skills development (training

and closer involvement in NGO distributions)  at District and Division level in selected food 

insecure areas.  However, without this political momentum  there is little outsiders can do about

the overall problems of leakage and weak accountability in the government relief system.

A 48