MANDERA, Kenya — The humanitarian situation in Rhamu Sub-County, Mandera County, has worsened as prolonged drought continues to devastate livelihoods, with aid workers discovering dozens of dead livestock and escalating food and water shortages.
The Kenya Red Cross Society stated that its teams on the ground discovered more than 70 livestock carcasses in Chabii Barr, underscoring the severity of the drought and the urgent need for sustained intervention.
“In Rhamu Sub-County, the drought’s impact is severe,” the organisation said in a statement. “Our team found over 70 livestock carcasses in Chabii Barr, highlighting the urgent need for intervention.”
Livestock losses are a critical blow to pastoralist communities in Mandera, where animals are central to food security, income, and social stability.
Local residents say the deaths reflect months of failed rains, depleted water sources, and limited pasture, pushing households deeper into vulnerability.
In response to the crisis, the Kenya Red Cross said it has delivered 28,000 litres of water to affected areas and distributed 120 bags of fortified porridge targeting children under five years, pregnant women, and lactating mothers.
The organisation said medical outreach services are also ongoing to address emerging health risks linked to malnutrition, dehydration, and disease.
“Kenya Red Cross is on the ground supporting affected communities,” the statement said, adding that assessments are continuing to guide further humanitarian action.
The situation in Mandera mirrors a broader drought emergency affecting parts of northern and north-eastern Kenya, where erratic rainfall patterns have strained fragile ecosystems and exposed long-standing gaps in water access, climate resilience, and early warning systems.
Under Article 43 of the Constitution of Kenya, 2010, every person has the right to the highest attainable standard of health, adequate food, and clean water.
