NAIROBI, Kenya — The government has set aside Sh6 billion to cushion Kenyans from the worsening drought that has already affected more than 20 counties, Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has said.
Speaking on Wednesday during the 14th Development Partners Forum at the Official Residence in Karen, Nairobi, Kindiki said the funds are already being used to provide food and protect livestock as the dry spell spreads beyond the Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASALs).
“The government has made arrangements to make sure that we provide enough food to all the affected people and also to save their livestock from demise because of the drought. There should be no panic in the country,” Kindiki said.
He warned that while ASAL regions remain the most affected, the impact is now spilling over into non-ASAL counties, creating pressure on food prices, water supplies, and household incomes.
In addition to the Sh6 billion already allocated, Kindiki said the government is committing Sh2 billion every month to sustain the emergency response, including food distribution, livestock protection and water provision.
“The Government is also committing Sh2 billion every month and is asking for increased assistance from the development partners and other role players to ensure that the drought situation is comprehensively dealt with,” he added.
The Deputy President said the government is scaling up the supply of hay, vaccines, and water to safeguard livestock, which remains the backbone of livelihoods in many drought-hit regions.
The crisis was also flagged by Council of Governors (CoG) Chairperson Ahmed Abdullahi, who warned that delays in intervention could deepen the humanitarian and economic impact.
“While ASAL counties are the most affected, non-ASAL counties are experiencing spill-over effects through rising food prices, water stress, and livelihood disruptions,” Abdullahi said.
The forum brought together senior government officials and international partners to coordinate the drought response. It was co-chaired by UN Resident Coordinator Stephen Jackson and Germany’s Ambassador Sebastian Groth.
Also in attendance were Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, Head of Public Service Felix Koskei, Cabinet Secretaries, Principal Secretaries, governors, and representatives of major development agencies.
The meeting focused on mobilising additional resources and aligning humanitarian and development interventions as Kenya braces for a prolonged dry season.
