NAIROBI, Kenya- Kenya’s arid and semi-arid lands (ASAL) are teetering on the edge of a humanitarian crisis, with the National Drought Management Authority (NDMA) sounding the alarm.
Four counties—Garissa, Kilifi, Kwale, and Tana River—have officially transitioned to the “alert” drought phase, leaving nearly a million people at risk of starvation.
This marks a troubling shift after months where all 23 ASAL counties had remained in the “normal” phase, according to the NDMA’s latest report.
“The situation is on a worsening trend across most of the ASAL counties due to the delayed onset of the October to December season,” the NDMA explained in its report.
With rains failing to arrive on schedule, water scarcity and crop failures have compounded the crisis, leaving communities increasingly vulnerable.
This grim development is part of a broader pattern of climate-induced challenges plaguing the Horn of Africa.
A recent report by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) estimated that 67 million people across the region are now food insecure—a stark reminder of the cascading effects of erratic weather patterns.
The drought’s toll is particularly harsh on the most vulnerable: children and pregnant or breastfeeding mothers.
NDMA data reveals that 479,498 children under five and 110,169 mothers are acutely malnourished and in urgent need of treatment.
Counties grappling with acute malnutrition extend beyond those in the alert phase. Regions like Turkana, Baringo, Kitui, and Laikipia are also struggling to meet the nutritional needs of their populations.
With limited access to clean water and sufficient food supplies, these areas face an uphill battle to avert further deterioration.
As the drought persists, swift intervention is critical to prevent the crisis from spiraling further. The NDMA and humanitarian organizations are urging increased support for affected counties, from food aid to long-term climate resilience programs.
While the road ahead is challenging, addressing the root causes of food insecurity—climate change, poor infrastructure, and limited resources—will be key to building a more sustainable future for Kenya’s ASAL communities.
