Daniel O. Odaro – Department of Geography and Natural Resources Management, Maseno University, Kenya

Email: tom.odundo@gmail.com/ danielodaro79@gmail.com

Abstract: Food security refers to a situation where all people have access to adequate, nutritious and safe food to meet their needs for a healthy and active life. However, the number of people who are food insecure globally continues to rise despite the numerous interventions that have been put in place to address the phenomenon. For example, Integrated Food Security Phase Classification report in March, 2026 revealed that about 3.3 million Kenyans faced crisis-level food insecurity driven by consecutive failed rains, high food prices and drought. It is imperative to adopt resilient food crop production systems which can cope with the reality of rainfall variability in order to ensure food security. The study aimed at assessing the effect of rainfall timing on select food-crop production in Nyando Sub-County, Kisumu County. The study used a quasi-longitudinal research design. The sample size was 384 household heads and Key Informants. Systematic random and purposive sampling techniqueswere used in the selection. Methods of data collection included questionnaires, interviews, focused group discussions and field observations. The quantitative data were analyzed using linear regression while qualitative data were thematically analyzed. The study findings established that about 65, 47 and 38 percent variation in the production of maize, beans and African nightshade respectively was explained by change in rainfall timing. It was concluded that rainfall timing has a significant effect on production of these crops. The study therefore recommends resilient food production systems to cope with and adapt to changing climate especially the timing of rainfall.