Mandera, Wajir among hardest hit counties by drought crisis

Deputy President Kithure Kindiki during a meeting on February 9, 2026 / DPCS

Mandera and Wajir counties are among the areas hardest hit by a worsening drought crisis that has left 3.3 million Kenyans in 23 counties in dire need of food and humanitarian support, Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has said.

Kindiki said the government had reviewed the country’s food and nutrition security situation following the poor performance of the October–December 2025 short rains.

“The government has reviewed the food and nutrition security in the country following the escalating drought situation occasioned by the sub-optimal performance of the short rains in the 2025 October–December season,” Kindiki said.

In a statement issued after chairing a high-level meeting with Cabinet Secretaries, Principal Secretaries, and heads of relevant agencies, Kindiki said the drought had placed 3.3 million people in urgent need of assistance across 23 counties, with 10 counties classified as being in crisis.

The worst-hit counties include Mandera, Wajir, Kwale, and Kilifi, while those in crisis are Mandera, Wajir, Garissa, Marsabit, Tana River, Turkana, Kwale, Samburu, Kilifi, and Meru (Meru North region).

To address the emergency, the Deputy President announced that the Government will spend Sh4 billion every month on drought mitigation measures, including the procurement of food and non-food items, livestock feeds, and water for human, domestic, and wildlife consumption.

“More resources have been released to procure more food and non-food items for the 3.3 million people in need of support across the country, for water provision, livestock feed and other related interventions,” he said.

Kindiki added that the government had agreed on measures to streamline last-mile delivery to ensure the timely and effective distribution of relief supplies.

“Met Cabinet Secretaries, Principal Secretaries, and heads of relevant agencies to review the situation and agreed on how to streamline the last-mile delivery modalities to cushion the people of Kenya and their livelihoods from the effects of drought,” he said.

He also appealed to development partners to support the government’s response plan with additional funding to scale up interventions.

“The government will spend four billion shillings every month to procure food and non-food items, livestock feed, and water for human, domestic, and wildlife consumption and requested the development partners to complement the allocation with a Sh2 billion boost to effectively make drought interventions,” Kindiki said.

On Sunday, 

Speaking in Garissa township during the graduation ceremony of students at Hafsa Bintu Sirin, Duale said the national government was fully aware of the worsening drought situation in arid and semi-arid lands (ASALs) and was working round the clock to ensure that much-needed assistance reaches affected communities.

“I want to assure all Kenyans, especially those in the ASAL counties that have been ravaged by drought, that the government will not abdicate its role, particularly under the leadership of President William Ruto. The Cabinet has approved more than Sh7 billion to make sure all Kenyans who have been affected by drought get assistance,” Duale said.