Committed to Ending Drought Emergencies

The National Drought Management Authority Act (2016) mandates the Authority to exercise overall coordination over all matters relating to drought risk management and to establish mechanisms, either on its own or with stakeholders, that will end drought emergencies in Kenya.

Committed to Ending Drought Emergencies

The National Drought Management Authority Act (2016) mandates the Authority to exercise overall coordination over all matters relating to drought risk management and to establish mechanisms, either on its own or with stakeholders, that will end drought emergencies in Kenya.

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The drought situation remains critical in 22 of the 23 ASAL counties due to the late onset and poor performance of the much-anticipated October to December 2022 short rains, coupled with four previous consecutive failed rainfall seasons.

Currently, nine arid and semi-arid (ASAL) counties namely; Kilifi, Mandera, Marsabit, Samburu, Turkana, Wajir, Isiolo, Kitui, and Kajiado are in Alarm drought phase while 13 counties are in Alert drought phase. These include Garissa, Lamu, Narok, Tana River, Makueni, Tharaka Nithi, Baringo, Laikipia, Meru, Taita Taveta, West Pokot, Nyeri and Kwale. Only Embu county is currently classified in Normal drought phase.

Click on the links to find the National drought bulletin - January 2023

The Government, together with development partners under the Kenya Food Security Steering Group (KFSSG) in collaboration with the respective County Steering Groups (CSGs) carried out the seasonal Long Rains Food and Nutritional Security Assessment in July 2022 across the ASALs. Out of the 23 ASAL counties analyzed, 15 counties are classified in IPC Phase 3. The number of people in IPC Phase 4 (emergency) is 785,000 (5 percent) and 2.8 million (18 percent) in IPC Phase 3 (Crisis). Nine (9) counties, predominantly pastoral livelihoods, have over 40 percent of their population in IPC phase 3 or worse. These are Isiolo (50 percent), Turkana (50 percent), Garissa (45 percent), Mandera (45 percent), Marsabit (45 percent), Samburu (45percent), Wajir (45percent), Baringo (40percent). It is projected that the food security situation is likely to worsen between October and December 2022 and 4.4 million people may require assistance. Overall, 3.1 million will likely be in Crisis (IPC Phase 3) and 1.2 million in Emergency (IPC Phase 4).

The KFSSG is a multi-agency body comprised of government departments, United Nations (UN) agencies, and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) concerned with food and nutrition security.

Access the report on the link below;

2022 Long rains food and nutritional security assessment report

 

 

Ms. Batula Mohamed, a resident of Karu Location in Habaswein, Wajir County, was on the verge of despair as she watched the body condition of her cattle deteriorate. Drought had depleted all available pasture, wreaking havoc in her village. The mother of five had already lost four cows in a span of two months and the remaining three were too feeble to stand on their own. The Subcounty had not received any rainfall in five months thus the depletion of pasture. Her three school-going children had missed most of previous terms work as the situation required them to venture farther out with the livestock in search of pasture.

The NDMA has partnered with local universities for research into areas relating to drought risk management and climate change adaptation. The Authority gave research grants to six PhD students drawn from the University of Nairobi, University of Eldoret and Kenyatta University.

In his opening remarks during a seminar for the presentation of research findings, NDMA Board Chairman Mr Raphael Nzomo noted that the event came at a critical time when the country is looking for practical solutions to challenges posed by droughts.