Deaths and displacement caused by floods have raised fresh concern over the country’s growing humanitarian crisis, even as the government warns that the number of Kenyans facing acute hunger could rise to 3.6 million if urgent interventions are not implemented.
Heavy rains being experienced in several parts of the country have triggered flooding, leading to deaths, injuries and the displacement of families.
Appearing before the Fatuma Dullo-led Senate Committee on National Security, Defence and Foreign Relations on March 10, 2026, Cabinet Secretary for Public Service, Human Capital Development and Special Programmes, Geoffrey Ruku told senators that the government had moved quickly to coordinate a response following the floods.
“Following the unfortunate incident, I convened an emergency multi-agency meeting the next morning, on Saturday, March 7, 2026, and devised a coordinated national response to the disaster,” Ruku said.
Ruku indicated that 45 people have lost their lives, four have been injured and another four reported missing, while 9,033 households have been displaced.
The CS said the rains have particularly affected Nairobi, Kiambu, Homa Bay and Migori counties, warning that the situation could worsen if the weather persists.
“If these situations are not contained, the erratic weather patterns will continue to pose security threats to the nation,” Ruku said.
He added: “As outlined in Executive Order No. 1 of 2025, my Ministry is mandated to coordinate disaster preparedness, response and recovery efforts during crises such as floods, droughts, fires, disease outbreaks, pandemics and other national emergencies, including geological disasters. The Ministry also provides food aid and other essential supplies to affected populations.”
Ismail Maalim Madey, the Principal Secretary for the State Department for Special Programmes, accompanying CS Ruku, said the department has already begun distributing relief food and non-food items to affected families through the National Disaster Operations Centre (NDOC) while coordinating response efforts with other government agencies and humanitarian partners.
“The State Department for Special Programmes has embarked on the provision of relief food assistance and appropriate non-food items to displaced persons through the NDOC. Stakeholders will continue to monitor the evolving situation, coordinate national response efforts and provide regular situation updates,” Madey told the senators.
Beatrice Askul Moe, the Cabinet Secretary for East African Community (EAC) Affairs and Regional Development, said budgetary constraints were affecting response efforts.
“We have held meetings, but the issue of the budget is hindering our work. As a ministry, we have already held about three meetings with MDAs associated with the current situation,” she said.
Committee chairperson Fatuma Dullo sought clarification from CS Ruku on the government’s food relief interventions.
“CS Ruku, on food relief, you asked for support. What interventions is the ministry undertaking in the current situation? We have the Disaster Bill before the Senate and we will fast-track the process. As a country, we must mobilise resources,” she said.
Lamu Senator Joseph Kamau asked what the ministry was doing to support families that had lost loved ones and displaced households, particularly in the North Eastern region.
CS Ruku said the government would compensate bereaved families and support them in rebuilding their homes.
Even as the government responds to the flooding, authorities warned that drought conditions in Arid and Semi-Arid Land (ASAL) counties are deepening food insecurity.
According to Ruku, drought conditions have worsened significantly since early this year following the failure of the October–November–December 2025 short rains.
“Consequently, approximately 3.3 million people are currently facing acute food insecurity. Notably, over 810,000 children and 104,000 expectant and lactating women, alongside other vulnerable groups, continue to face acute malnutrition across affected counties,” Ruku said.
He cautioned that the number of people in need could rise if urgent interventions are not implemented.
“These numbers could rise to approximately 3.6 million by June 2026 if urgent interventions are not taken,” Ruku said.
He added that the ministry has been allocated Sh9 billion by the National Treasury for drought interventions.
“Out of this amount, Sh8.5 billion has been allocated for emergency food assistance, while Sh500 million has been reserved for livestock feed to cushion pastoral livelihoods and prevent asset depletion,” he said.
Ruku said the ministry has rolled out several response measures, including food distribution, cash transfer programmes, water trucking, rehabilitation of boreholes and medical outreach services in affected counties.
He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to protecting citizens and strengthening disaster management systems, urging continued collaboration between national and county governments as well as development partners to mitigate the effects of drought and build resilience in vulnerable communities.
“The government remains unwavering in its commitment to protect lives, livelihoods and national stability.”