Deputy President Kithure Kindiki on Monday convened a high-level crisis meeting as the government moved to urgently respond to a worsening drought that has left an estimated 2.1 million people across 32 counties facing food and nutritional insecurity.
The meeting, held at Harambee House Annex in Nairobi, brought together Cabinet Secretaries, Principal Secretaries, chief executive officers and heads of relevant ministries, departments and agencies, alongside representatives of the Council of Governors, to assess the scale of the crisis and the interventions required.
According to the government, the October to December short rains significantly underperformed, deepening food insecurity in drought-prone regions.
“The October to December short rains have underperformed, exposing an estimated 2.1 million people across 32 Counties to food and nutritional insufficiency,” the DP said.
The Kenya Meteorological Department has warned that the affected counties will require sustained human and livestock food, nutrition and health support for at least the next six months.
This period is expected to bridge communities to the next harvest from the March to May long rains.
“The Kenya Meteorological Department predicts that the 32 Counties will require human and livestock food, nutritional and health interventions for the next six months,” Kindiki noted.
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki convenes a high-level crisis meeting at Harambee House Annex in Nairobi as the government moves to urgently respond to a worsening drought across 32 counties on December 15, 2025/DPCSDeputy President Kithure Kindiki convenes a high-level crisis meeting at Harambee House Annex in Nairobi as the government moves to urgently respond to a worsening drought across 32 counties on December 15, 2025/DPCS
Officials at the meeting discussed both the extent of the drought and the cost of emergency interventions, including food and non-food assistance for households and livestock, as the government seeks to mitigate the impact of the prolonged dry spell.
Kindiki said the government is working with county governments to coordinate an effective response.
The inclusion of the Council of Governors, he said, was aimed at ensuring interventions are aligned at both national and county levels.
A follow-up meeting involving development partners, humanitarian organisations and the private sector is scheduled for Tuesday.
The government said the engagement will inform a comprehensive response plan.
“A follow-up meeting incorporating representatives of development partners and non-governmental humanitarian institutions as well as the private sector will be held tomorrow, after which the Government will announce a comprehensive roadmap for mitigating the drought situation.”
The government is expected to outline immediate relief measures and longer-term mitigation strategies as it moves to prevent a deterioration of the humanitarian situation in the affected counties.
The affected counties include Mandera, Wajir, Marsabit, Garissa, Kilifi, Kajiado, Tana River, Samburu, Isiolo, Turkana, Tharaka Nithi, Kitui, Makueni, Kwale, Laikipia, Meru North, Embu (Mbeere), Lamu, Taita Taveta, Nyeri, Baringo, Narok, West Pokot, Elgeyo Marakwet, Nakuru, Kiambu, Machakos, Siaya, Homa Bay, Kirinyaga, Murang’a, and Migori.
