Food security is a major global concern. Food insecurity has insidious effects on the health and
development of young children and consequently, adults. The paper assesses the food security
status and its key determinants for the rural households of the arid lands of Isiolo in Kenya. A
three stage sampling technique was used for respondents (56) selection. Data collected were:
demographics, livelihood strategies, food security and livelihood assets. Descriptive and
inferential statistical methods and descriptive content analysis were used. Inferential statistics
focused on ANOVA, PMC analysis, T-test and regression analysis. Overall food insecurity was
at 75%, with 21% food insecure and 54% vulnerable households. The most food secure
households were 2%, and 23% were moderately secure. Household food security was
statistically significant (p<.05) with a mean score of (M=2.423, SD=.507). Three key
determinants for food security were: natural [t(56) =3.626, p=.000], financial [t(56) = 2.798,
p<.05] and human [t(56) =3.181, p <.05] capitals. Livelihood assets accounted for 28.9%
(R=0.537, R
2
=0.289) of the variation in household food security. Coping strategies for food
insecurity were: feeding on unbalanced diet, reducing meals, eating low cost food and food
relief. Policies that facilitate nutritious food to be within reach and affordable at all times, and
investments in human capital are worth promoting for improved household food security.v