The Number of People affected by Drought and Hunger to rise to 6,000,000 Kenyans

The ongoing drought which continues to expose over four million Kenyans to hunger is expected to last longer with the number of affected people expected to rise up to 6 million.

The chair of the drought response committee, Peter Ndegwa reported failed produce in the Asal regions by 65% due to four failed rain seasons in 2022.

Ndegwa says the drought situation remains critical in 22 of the 23 Asal counties due to the late onset and poor performance of the much-anticipated October to December 2022 short rains, coupled with four previous consecutive failed rainfall seasons.

Currently, nine arid and semi-arid (Asal) counties namely; Kilifi, Mandera, Marsabit, Samburu, Turkana, Wajir, Isiolo, Kitui, and Kajiado are in alarm drought phase while 13 counties are in the alert drought phase.

These include Garissa, Lamu, Narok, Tana River, Makueni, Tharaka Nithi, Baringo, Laikipia, Meru, Taita Taveta, West Pokot, Nyeri and Kwale.

Only Embu County is currently classified in the normal drought phase. Taita Taveta, Kwale, Garissa and Tana River improved from alarm to alert phase due to light showers received during the last week of December.

Conversely, the drought situation in Baringo and West Pokot counties deteriorated from normal to alert drought phase. 

High rates of children at risk of malnutrition are noted in Marsabit, Mandera, Garissa, Baringo and Isiolo counties, attributed to the continued decrease in milk production and consumption at the household level, as well as poor dietary diversity, poor child feeding practices, and reduced food intake at the household level.

Analysis of the December 2022 rainfall indicates that several parts of the Asals experienced depressed rainfall. The same month recorded alarming deterioration in vegetation conditions across Asal counties.

The number of Kenyans most affected could rise to 6 million if no proper mitigation measures are embraced as the drought situation spreads to non-Asal counties.

The private sector-led drought to mitigate committee outlined this year's plans to address the devastating situation as well as applications of long-term measures. The committee has so far raised Ksh 650 million, an amount that is not enough to cater for the dire need for food aid and other key services.

The committee is working in partnership with Kenya Defence Forces to repair boreholes in the Asal regions and continues to call on Kenyans to support the process through financial contributions.