As drought conditions intensify across Kenya’s Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASALs), the National Government has released Sh778,536,900 in cash transfers to cushion the most vulnerable households.
The disbursement, managed through the National Drought Management Authority, targets 133,101 households registered under the Hunger Safety Net Programme (HSNP).
The funds cover the December 2025 and January 2026 payment cycles for households in Mandera, Turkana, Wajir, Marsabit, Garissa, Tana River, Isiolo, and Samburu counties.
In addition, the February 2026 payment cycle for Mandera County—currently the hardest hit—is included in the release.
According to NDMA, 3.3 million people across 23 ASAL counties are facing food insecurity, with projections suggesting the situation could worsen if the March–May rains underperform.
Reduced pasture and browse, declining milk production, escalating food prices, and intensifying water scarcity are weakening household resilience in the drought-affected regions.
The HSNP, a key social protection initiative under NDMA, provides monthly cash transfers of Sh 2,700 to registered households, enabling them to meet essential food and non-food needs during periods of climatic stress.
“At a time when food insecurity is rising, social protection remains one of the most effective instruments for safeguarding dignity and stabilizing livelihoods,” said Hared Adan, Chief Executive Officer of NDMA.
By strengthening household purchasing power, the programme helps protect livelihoods, reduce negative coping strategies, and stabilize local markets during drought periods.
The current cash allocations include Sh179,374,500 for 22,145 households in Mandera County, Sh 110,106,000 for 20,390 households in Marsabit County, Sh215,146,800 for 39,842 households in Turkana County, Sh103,523,400 for 19,171 households in Wajir County, Sh49,852,800 for 9,232 households in Garissa County, Sh36,698,400 for 6,796 households in Isiolo County, Sh 44,193,600 for 8,184 households in Samburu County, and Sh 39,641,400 for 7,341 households in Tana River County.
Beneficiaries can access payments through Equity Bank and Kenya Commercial Bank agents and branches within their counties.
NDMA advises households with pending concerns to contact their nearest bank, county office, or HSNP sub-county office to update their details and access their stipends.
The cash transfers form part of the government’s broader multi-sectoral drought response, which also includes water trucking, livestock feed supplementation, nutrition support, and conflict mitigation in high-risk areas.
The initiative is embedded within Inua Jamii, the flagship National Safety Net Programme designed to cushion vulnerable households, reduce poverty, and advance Kenya’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda.
Lt Col Adan emphasised that “the government remains committed to safeguarding lives and livelihoods through timely and targeted interventions,” underscoring the importance of social protection in mitigating the impacts of recurrent droughts in the country.
