The government has intensified drought intervention measures in at least 23 counties currently grappling with severe food shortages, as more than 3.3 million Kenyans face the risk of starvation following failed rains.
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki said additional resources have been released to procure food and non-food items for vulnerable households in the affected regions.
He noted that the intervention aims to avert drought-related deaths as the country continues to experience the effects of the failed October–November–December 2025 short rains season.
Counties worst hit include Lamu, Mandera and Turkana, where prolonged dry conditions have significantly reduced food production and access. According to meteorological reports, the failure of the short rains has exacerbated the humanitarian situation across arid and semi-arid areas.
Kindiki was speaking in his Karen residence after meeting cabinet secretaries, principal secretaries and heads of the relevant agencies. He noted that the government has reviewed the food distribution networks for constant availability of food and non-food items through the activation of the last mile
He called development partners to complement government’s efforts in combating drought impact. Also he noted that permanent plans are underway aimed at cushioning the perrenial drought crisis in drought prone counties.
Meanwhile, there is cautious optimism as the March–April–May long rains season approaches. The rains are expected to begin as early as February in parts of the highlands west of the Rift Valley and the Lake Victoria Basin, including Bungoma, Trans Nzoia and Elgeyo Marakwet, with other regions likely to receive rains from early March.
