[PHOTOS] Dry water pans, dying herds: Drought takes toll on Northern Kenya

Wildlife has continued to bear the brunt of the prolonged drought being witnessed in Northern region of the country.

Buffaloes have been spotted trapped in the dry bed of a water pan in Qarmadha village, Ijara, Garissa County, highlighting the severity of the drought gripping Northern Kenya.

The animals were stranded at a water pan that usually serves as a key drinking point for both wildlife and livestock, but which has now completely dried up.

The prolonged dry spell has severely affected communities and ecosystems across the region.

Domestic and wild animals are suffering due to the biting drought that has hit Northern Kenya as human beings walk long distances to look for water.

Residents are walking long distances in search of water as traditional sources dry up, putting additional strain on already vulnerable households.

Pastoralists say the situation has worsened in recent weeks, with limited pasture and water pushing animals to exhaustion.

The impact on livestock has been devastating. Tens of herds of cattle have reportedly been lost, dealing a heavy blow to livelihoods in a region where pastoralism is the main source of income.

The drought has also affected wildlife, with wild animals increasingly venturing closer to settlements in search of water, exposing them to greater risk.

Conservationists warn that the loss of wild animals is particularly worrying, as they are meant to be protected and are key revenue generators through tourism.

The situation in Ijara mirrors conditions in other parts of Northern Kenya, where the biting drought continues to threaten lives, livelihoods and biodiversity, underscoring the urgent need for water and drought-mitigation interventions.