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In its latest seasonal climate update released on Thursday, the agency said the sea-surface temperature anomaly in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific could reach about 3.7°C above normal between October and December. This would surpass the previous record of 2.6°C recorded between November 2015 and January 2016.
The Water CS said the government had to acknowledge Kenya’s vulnerability to alternating periods of heavy rainfall and drought rather than assume that a season of good rains would solve the country’s water problems.
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has warned that the country could face a maize shortfall of 2.2 million tonnes this year, pushing the required imports to a record 2.3 million tonnes to keep households, millers and animal feed manufacturers supplied.
Kenya Dairy Board chairperson Genesio Mugo against buying unpasteurised milk from hawkers and outlets that are not authorised to sell processed milk, saying such products could contain substances harmful to consumers.
In an update issued on Thursday, the agency said El Niño is expected to reach very strong intensity before peaking towards the end of 2026, with its climate impacts likely to continue well into 2027.
The committee made the proposals in a report tabled in the Senate, raising concerns that the Livestock Protection and Sustainability Bill, 2024 has placed too much attention on drought-related measures while giving less attention to other threats facing the livestock sector.
Under the new intervention, the government will meet 50% of the cost of certified maize seed, reducing the price from Sh300 to Sh150 per kilogramme, according to Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe.
Kenya consumes about 75 million bags of maize every year, but lower production in several food-producing areas is expected to leave the country with a deficit of nearly 25 million bags.
Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe said the government was implementing measures to support farmers affected by dry conditions, prevent food shortages and keep prices of essential commodities stable.
The CS said maize imports will form part of the measures being used to protect food supplies, with the government looking to countries within the COMESA region for additional stocks.
The authorities said the identified counties had been prioritised in emergency response planning according to their exposure to different risks associated with El Niño
A total of 133,484 registered households in Mandera, Wajir, Turkana, Marsabit, Garissa, Isiolo, Samburu and Tana River are set to benefit from the latest payout.
NDMA Chief Executive Hared Adan said the country's drought status remains stable and is expected to remain normal until the end of July. However, he cautioned that changing conditions could see some counties move into the alert category in the coming months, underscoring the need for continued preparedness.
The State of the Climate in Africa 2025 report released on June 18,2026 says floods were the most frequently reported hazard, accounting for more than half of all recorded extreme weather events. The impacts were felt across multiple sectors, including agriculture, water resources, health, infrastructure and livelihoods.
Kenya continues to import large quantities of essential commodities including wheat, rice, edible oils and sugar, while yellow maize is also brought in from time to time to cover shortages during dry spells and stabilise supply.
The World Meteorological Organization warns El Niño conditions are likely to develop between June and August 2026, with forecasts suggesting persistence into November. It urges governments to strengthen preparedness and early warning systems.
He explained how mobile alerts, community relocation initiatives and youth volunteer programmes are helping reduce the impact of floods and droughts.
Kenya Red Cross Deputy SG for Programmes Joe Mbalu says floods, drought and funding shortfalls are creating a complex emergency. He adds that volunteers need safety measures and psychosocial support as humanitarian pressure grows.
The report released by WMO on Wednesday found that at least 95% of Europe experienced above-average annual temperatures in 2025, with extreme weather stretching from the Mediterranean to the Arctic.
Heavy rains being experienced in several parts of the country have triggered flooding, leading to deaths, injuries and the displacement of families.
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.
Coupled with water scarcity and widespread livestock deaths, the risks of disease outbreaks and malnutrition continue to rise.
According to the latest assessment, around 90 percent of the county has been hit, with all six sub-counties—Lunga-Lunga, Msambweni, Samburu, Matuga, Kinango, and Shimba Hills—experiencing critical shortages of water and food.
The drought crisis now touches 3.3 million people, including 810,000 children under five and 104,000 pregnant and breastfeeding women.
The newly approved funds will supplement allocations made in December 2025 and January 2026, which were used to support relief food distribution, logistics and limited non-food assistance.
The Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims (Supkem) says the drought is endangering livelihoods in at least 23 counties, putting pastoralists and local communities at serious risk.
Kenya Red Cross Society revealed that over 2 million people in Kenya are currently affected by drought and need urgent support.
Ruku said the relief programme targets 23 drought-affected counties across the Arid and Semi-Arid Lands, with Mandera ranked among the most severely affected due to the prolonged failure of rains.
Agriculture and Livestock Development CS, Mutahi Kagwe said the move was informed by the heavy toll of previous droughts, which he noted had killed more than 2.5 million livestock and caused economic losses exceeding Sh50 billion, particularly in Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASAL) counties.
The Deputy President said the Sh6 billion allocation forms part of a broader financing framework designed to ensure a sustained response as the drought persists.