Mboco For Christmas

The short rains have been punctual this time round. They're finally here and from the looks of it, mostly fall during the night. I've heard a few theories like "Wangari Maathai's spirit is watching over us" and "The universe is weeping over Maathai's death". I don't take kindly to superstitious beliefs and it's sad that people found time to make jokes about one of Kenya's late heroines.

There's been a lot of speculation of how food prices and costs of electricity will now fall coz it's raining....pffft! Short rains definitely increase water supply to the relevant production factors, but that doesn't means that it will have an immediate effect. Beans for example, can take 85 - 90 days before harvest. That's essentially from now until Christmas week. Mboco for Christmas anyone?? If rain be the sole influence on food prices, then earliest price decrease should be expected in Mid Jan through Feb. This isn't to say farmers out there shouldn't plant like crazy. Planting maize now, for example, will increase its supply by Feb thereby decreasing one of the input costs for millers. That means Ugali will be more affordable then...if the millers behave themselves.

 Ugali avec kachumbari et fried goat

(Sourced from Google)

DO NOT, if anything, rely solely on weather forecasts. Our meteorologists have a tendency of making vital information available a tad bit late. I'm yet to confirm whether our National Disaster Operations Centre still exists as they've been a bit silent....a bit! October 2011 saw Turkana face floods and immediate reactions by various ministries to "save" them - a task that cost millions. The same happened last month in Western Kenya and parts of Nakuru. Had measures been taken during these periods to use the flood to our advantage by creating a dam to store the water and irrigate land, we'd be facing lower food prices by Dec....thus amplifying our holiday experience.

As for electricity, whatever increase there is in water supply is probably being channeled to areas with shortage and other areas of expansion. Unfortunately, what they said about electricity being cheaper next year June seems more of a reality right now....if this be the only contributor you're considering. It's an unfortunate cycle we've been following for years. Food prices increase during non-rain seasons then decrease around Jan, but never returning to the original  price. Making demands for immediate reduction of costs solely based on these short rains will be unfruitful. You'll end up eating Mboco for Christmas.

NB: Mboco is pronounced Mbo-sho. English name is runner beans