Kenya's Looming Drought Crisis

Since the arid and semi-arid territories have seen little to no rain, the country's drought condition is anticipated to worsen (ASAL regions). According to the Ministry of East African Community, The ASALs, and Regional Development, 20 out of the 23 ASAL counties' drought conditions were still critical in November. Despite reports of rain all around the nation, a sixth unsuccessful season could still occur.

In the ASAL counties, the current brief rain season has underperformed due to its late arrival, poor dispersion, and insufficient precipitation. Laikipia county, however, only slightly improved to the Alert phase as a result of the modest rains, leaving 13 counties in the Alarm drought phase.

The situation might improve slightly, especially for environmental indexes. According to Rebecca Miano, CS for East Africa Community, ASALs and Regional Development, the benefits are expected to be fleeting as the country enters the customary dry period from January to March 2022. Among the 13 counties that are still in the alarm stage are Mandera, Wajir, Garissa, Isiolo, Marsabit, Turkana, Samburu, Tana River, Taita Taveta, Kajiado, Kilifi, Kwale, and Kitui.

There are seven counties in the Alert drought phase, including Narok, Nyeri, Makueni, Meru, Laikipia, and Tharaka Nithi. The other three, Baringo, West Pokot, and Lamu, are experiencing a typical drought. There are currently 4.35 million individuals in need of humanitarian aid. As long as 942,000 children (6-59 months) and 134,000 pregnant or nursing mothers continue to get treatment, there is an increased risk of acute malnutrition.

According to CS Miano, the government has been successful in scaling up interventions for a targeted response to reach the most vulnerable members of the communities. Food aid, financial transfers, water, livestock, agriculture, health and nutrition, education, peace and security, and the food industry are all included in this. "The Government and partners have been able to raise funds to scale up operations in ASALs and to other pockets of non-ASAL counties equally affected by drought," said CS Miano. "This has been made possible through the flush appeal by the UN Agencies and efforts by the National Steering Committee on Drought Response." Kenya is one of the Horn of Africa nations that is being severely impacted by the drought. Somalia, Sudan, Ethiopia, and Eritrea are some of the additional nations in the area.