Kenya Red Cross: Over 2 million people affected by ongoing drought

The Kenya Red Cross Society has raised the alarm over a worsening drought crisis affecting more than two million people across the country.

Red Cross said that so far, eight counties have been affected, describing it as a critical phase with severe nutrition deterioration, particularly among children.

According to the Red Cross data, Turkana, Mandera, Samburu, Garissa, Isiolo, Marsabit (North Horr & Laisamis), West Pokot (East), and Baringo (Tiaty) are currently in the critical category, while Wajir, Tana River and West Pokot (West) have been placed in a serious phase.

Red Cross estimates that 784,000 children are malnourished and 300,000 households remain without adequate food supplies.

In its situational update, the Kenya Red Cross says the prolonged dry spell has pushed water, food and livelihoods into urgent stress.

“Prolonged drought is driving crisis. Act now to save lives,” Kenya Red Cross stated.

The emergency response so far has centered on water, nutrition and cash support. The agency says 63,024 people have received water assistance, 64 water sources have been rehabilitated, and 126 water systems are still in need of repair.

On nutrition support, 108,790 people have been assisted, including 15,645 children treated for malnutrition and 2,722 mothers supported.

To cushion families facing extreme food insecurity, 5,400 households have received cash stipends under targeted assistance programmes.

However, the humanitarian needs remain substantial. The Red Cross lists safe water trucking and borehole repair as urgent priorities, alongside food and nutrition support for children and mothers, cash assistance for basic needs, and livelihood protection for at-risk families.

On January 23, the government assured that it is responding decisively to the ongoing drought through measures aimed at cushioning learners and enhancing school retention in affected areas.

Speaking in Samburu County while flagging off the distribution of relief food supplies to Day Mixed Secondary Schools across the county’s four constituencies, Cabinet Secretary for Gender, Culture and Children Services Hanna Cheptumo said the government had data on affected learners and had put targeted interventions in place to support vulnerable children.

The CS, accompanied by the Principal Secretary for Children’s Welfare, Carren Ageng’o, said the ministry is rolling out an Emergency Support and Mentorship Programme that will see more than 26,000 secondary school students in 137 public schools receive free lunches.

The intervention, implemented by the Child Welfare Society of Kenya, a national emergency response and child rescue organisation under the State Department for Children Services, she said, forms part of the government’s broader commitment to safeguarding children’s right to education during emergencies.

“The Government is responding decisively to the ongoing drought by supporting children in school and enhancing school retention. We have data, and we will ensure no child drops out,” she said.