The government has announced emergency measures aimed at shielding millions of Kenyans from a worsening drought that has devastated crops, reduced pasture, and pushed vulnerable communities into severe hardship.
At least 2.1 million people in 32 counties face food and nutrition shortages, a situation officials warn could deteriorate further without rapid action.
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki said the government is coordinating immediate relief efforts alongside longer-term measures to strengthen resilience.
“The food stress we are witnessing is largely the result of poor and erratic rainfall, which has led to widespread crop failure and reduced pasture for livestock,” Kindiki said.
He added that forecasts by the Kenya Meteorological Department show that affected counties will need continuous humanitarian, nutritional, health, and livestock support for the next six months, until harvests from the March–May long rains become available.
On Tuesday, the DP chaired a high-level meeting with Cabinet Secretaries, Principal Secretaries, governors, heads of state agencies, and chief executives to assess the drought’s scope, the cost of interventions, and the resources needed to protect livelihoods in the hardest-hit areas.
“A follow-up meeting bringing on board development partners, humanitarian organisations and the private sector will be held, after which the government will release a comprehensive roadmap on drought mitigation,” he said.
The National Drought Management Authority (NDMA) said the briefing formed part of the Food Security Monitoring Committee Report for November 2025, offering a detailed assessment of crop, livestock, and related food and nutrition security sectors.
“The briefing focused on implications of the worsening drought conditions and priority response interventions required to mitigate impacts on vulnerable populations and livelihoods,” the NDMA stated.
Weather projections indicate challenging conditions ahead. The Kenya Meteorological Department reports a 60 per cent chance of La Niña developing in December 2025, with rainfall expected to be poorly distributed, prolonged dry spells across most regions, and above-average temperatures nationwide.
Northeastern counties, southeastern lowlands, and parts of the Coast are likely to see below-average rainfall during the October–December short rains season, raising the risk of food insecurity.
The combination of low rainfall and high temperatures has drained water and rangeland resources, straining pastoral and agropastoral communities.
To reduce dependence on rain-fed agriculture, the government plans to accelerate large-scale irrigation, including building 50 mega dams, 200 mini-dams, and over 1,000 micro-dams. These projects are projected to bring an additional 2.5 million acres under production.
“These investments are critical to strengthening food and water security, supporting agro-industrialisation and uplifting rural livelihoods,” a Cabinet statement said.
Counties most affected include Turkana, Machakos, Makueni, Kitui, Taita Taveta, Kajiado, Tana River, Mandera, Wajir, Garissa, Marsabit, and Isiolo.
In Kilifi County, Red Cross continued distributing food on Tuesday to over 200 families in Karimani Village, Bamba Ward, Ganze Sub-County. More than 46 local water pans have dried up, forcing residents to rely on aid from the government and humanitarian partners.
