Dry Spell To Adversely Affect Production At Kenya Breweries

The ongoing drought situation in the country is deemed to affect operations at the Kenya Breweries company.

According to KBL General Manager Lawrence Maina, the delayed long rains will adversely reduce the supply of barley and sorghum.

He was speaking at East African Maltings Limited, which supplies the industry with the vital farm produce.

KBL relies for the raw materials from 45,0000 farmers across the country.

However, Maina says the company is working on strategies to contain the impending crisis.

“We are concerned that the rains haven’t arrived in time and more concerned that there is shock that they may also be below minimal,” he said.

“The big issue could be on the barley sector which is very unique on high attitude and heavy rains and requires a higher rainfall pattern.”

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The revelations come at a time the drought situation continues to bite in several counties in the country.

On Tuesday, the meteorological department noted that the much anticipated long rains will not be experienced this year.

The acting Deputy Director of Kenya Meteorological Department Bernard Chanzu blamed the failed rains on climate change.

“The bigger picture about prolonged dry spell which means a drought is foreseeable is growing increasingly clear,” said Chanzu.

According to the weatherman’s data, there will be no drop of rain in May, a month where rains pour in plenty to mark the climax of the long rains season.

Also read:There Will Be No Long Rains This Season, Weatherman Warns

Last week, the met department had indicated that the Kenyan rains are ‘stuck’ in Tanzania due to low pressure, and would come late.

“The seasonal rains are caused by the Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone but currently it hasn’t moved northwards. It is sitting in Tanzania, the high-pressure systems in the south have not strengthened to the point that they will push the ITCZ so there will just be a delay, but the rains will come towards the end of the month,” acting Kenya Meteorological Department director, Stella Aura told a local daily.

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