The government has so far allocated KSh6 billion to drought mitigation efforts in the northern region of the country among other drought-prone areas due to the drought that continues threatening food security.
Deputy President Kindiki announced the release of the cash on Wednesday, January 14. “This amount is part of the efforts being undertaken to ensure the availability of food and livelihood protection in Arid and Semi-Arid Lands,” the Deputy President stated.
According to Kindiki, the amount was sent in two installments. The first amount of KSh2.5 billion was sent to the State Department for Special Programmes towards the end of last December, and the other KSh3.5 billion was sent last week.
“The treasury released KSh2.5 billion to the Special Programmes department at the end of December during the holiday season. Last week, another KSh3.5 billion was released,” said the Deputy President.
He tried to reassure Kenyans that the government is dealing with the matter and that they should not worry about the effects of the drought.
“I would like to assure every Kenyan that there is no need to panic because this is a problem that is going to affect the country in the short term, and the government has measures in place to ensure that there is enough food and that livestock is protected,” Kindiki said.
Drought Situation Worsening in the North
This drought has specifically affected the northern part of Kenya, with people there experiencing a severe scarcity of food and water. It is worth mentioning that the Kenya Red Cross Society recently reported that more than 70 animals had perished in the Rhamu Sub-County within Mandera County.
To this end, the Red Cross provided 28,000 liters of water to displaced residents, as well as food and other vital commodities.
Increasing Food Prices and Nutritional Concerns
The Chairperson for the Council of Governors, Ahmed Abdullahi, pointed out that the drought would continue to contribute to rising commodity prices, including those of basic foods, as well as poor nutrition outcomes.
“The drought conditions are exacerbating the depletion of pastures and inhibiting natural regrowth. Food prices have increased, and there is a greater reliance on food aid,” Abdullahi explained.
However, he observed that children below five, pregnant, as well as lactating women, are some of the most affected, faced by increasing risks of acute malnutrition.
The disbursement comes against the backdrop of a call by the government to the global community, with drought conditions likely to impact a number of counties during the first quarter of 2026.
Kindiki had earlier told humanitarian partners that a total of KSh7 billion was needed over a period of three months in order to carry out human-related interventions such as food assistance, nutrition, health, and provision of water. An extra KSh6 billion is also needed for animal interventions.
He reported that there are 32 food-assistance-starvation levels in the country, with seven counties in a critical situation.
“Currently, an estimated 2.1 million people in Kenya are food insecure. But weather forecasts indicate the short rains are also expected to come to an end by the end of 2025. And the situation may continue or even get worse between January and March,” Kindiki said in a major meeting with major humanitarian actors in December 2025.
The counties which face the worst conditions include Wajir, Mandera, Garissa, Marsabit, Isiolo, Kitui, Kilifi, Kwale, Kajiado, and T However, with the increasing drought pressures, the government states that it is increasing efforts to ensure the drought does not turn into a humanitarian crisis.
