State releases Sh778 million to drought-hit households

The government has disbursed Sh778.5 million in cash transfers to support more than 133,000 vulnerable households as drought conditions continue to deteriorate across the country’s Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASALs).

The National Drought Management Authority (NDMA) said the funds totalling Sh778,536,900 have been released under the Hunger Safety Net Programme (HSNP) to assist 133,101 poor households facing rising food insecurity.

The disbursement covers the December 2025 and January 2026 payment cycles for households in eight arid counties.

The counties include Mandera County, Turkana County, Wajir County, Marsabit County, Garissa County, Tana River County, Isiolo County and Samburu County.

It also includes the February 2026 payment cycle for Mandera, which has been identified as the most drought-stricken county.

The release comes at a critical time, with an estimated 3.3 million people across 23 ASAL counties currently facing food insecurity.

Authorities warn the situation could worsen if the March–May rains underperform. NDMA noted that reduced pasture and browse, declining milk production, elevated food prices and intensifying water scarcity are steadily eroding household resilience in drought-affected regions.

Through the HSNP, registered households receive Sh2,700 per month to help meet essential food and non-food needs during periods of climatic stress.

The programme is a key social protection instrument that strengthens purchasing power, helps protect livelihoods, reduces negative coping strategies and stabilises local markets during drought conditions.

Of the total allocation, Mandera received Sh179,374,500 for 22,145 households; Marsabit Sh110,106,000 for 20,390 households; Turkana Sh215,146,800 for 39,842 households and Wajir Sh103,523,400 for 19,171 households.

Others are Garissa Sh49,852,800 for 9,232 households; Isiolo Sh36,698,400 for 6,796 households; Samburu Sh44,193,600 for 8,184 households; and Tana River Sh39,641,400 for 7,341 households.

Beneficiaries will access the payments through agents and branches of Equity Bank Kenya and Kenya Commercial Bank within their respective counties.

Those with pending concerns have been advised to contact the nearest bank branch, NDMA county office or HSNP sub-county offices to update their details and access their stipends.

The HSNP is part of the government’s Inua Jamii National Safety Net Programme, a flagship social protection initiative designed to cushion vulnerable households, reduce poverty and advance the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda.

The latest disbursement forms part of a broader multi-sectoral drought response that includes water trucking, livestock feed supplementation, nutrition support and conflict mitigation in high-risk areas, with the government reiterating its commitment to safeguarding lives and livelihoods through timely and targeted interventions.