The Government has disbursed Sh870.38 million in cash to support households struggling with food shortages in eight counties severely affected by consecutive dry seasons.
Through the National Drought Management Authority (NDMA) under the Hunger Safety Net Programme (HSNP), 132,780 vulnerable families in Mandera, Marsabit, Turkana, Wajir, Samburu, Tana River, Garissa, and Isiolo will receive assistance.
NDMA says the cash payments are part of early interventions aimed at helping families maintain access to food, safeguard livelihoods, and meet urgent needs while the drought persists. The funds cover the payment cycles for September, October, and November 2025.
Turkana County received the largest allocation of Sh287,312,400 for 39,838 households, followed by Marsabit with Sh151,478,100 for 20,388 households.
Mandera was allocated Sh119,350,800 for 22,102 households, while Wajir received Sh103,545,000 for 19,175 households. Smaller allocations went to Samburu (Sh65,731,500 for 8,115 households), Isiolo (Sh53,662,500 for 6,625 households), Garissa (Sh49,798,800 for 9,222 households), and Tana River (Sh39,501,000 for 7,315 households).
NDMA Chief Executive Officer Hared Adan described the drought as a major threat to household food security in arid and semi-arid regions, leaving many families struggling to meet basic requirements.
"The ongoing drought has significantly undermined household food security across arid and semi-arid counties. The cash transfers form a critical component of the Government's early response measures, enabling affected households to meet immediate food and essential needs as it scales up broader drought response interventions in collaboration with humanitarian and development partners," Hared said.
Payments will be made through Equity Bank and Kenya Commercial Bank branches, as well as authorised agents within the affected counties. Beneficiaries experiencing difficulties have been asked to reach out to their nearest bank branch, NDMA county office, or HSNP sub-county office to ensure they receive the funds promptly.
Hared noted that the HSNP, implemented by NDMA under the Ministry of East African Community, Arid and Semi-Arid Lands and Regional Development, is part of the Inua Jamii National Safety Net Programme and remains a central pillar of the Government’s social protection framework.
"The programme plays a critical role in reducing poverty, addressing hunger, and strengthening household resilience in drought-prone areas, while supporting the Government’s Bottom-up Economic Transformation Agenda," he added.
