4.4M face food insecurity despite rains in drought-hit Kenya

NAIROBI, Kenya

Despite the recent rainfall, the Kenyan government on Thursday revealed that 4.4 million people in the country's Arid and Semi-Arid (ASAL) counties are still facing food insecurity.

The rains from March to date have brought some relief to Kenyans, but the drought-stricken people in ASAL counties have not experienced much of a difference.

Rebecca Miano, the cabinet secretary for the East African Community, Arid, and Semi-Arid lands, and regional development in Kenya, said that 23 counties in Kenya out of the 47 have observed a worsening trend due to the delayed arrival of rains.

“Pasture and livestock browsing conditions remain poor across ASAL counties,” she said.

She added that children are exposed to the risk of malnutrition in Baringo, Nyeri, Kajiado, Isiolo, Wajir, Mandera, Tana River, Makueni, Marsabit, Turkana, Embu, Kwale, Meru, Samburu, Kitui, Tharaka Nithi, Garissa, and Taita-Taveta counties.

The government added that 21 of the 23 ASAL counties are still experiencing drought stress as a result of five consecutive failed rain seasons and the tardy start of the March-May long rains season.

According to Miano, the food insecurity crisis is also affecting vulnerable groups, including over 970,000 children under five years and more than 142,000 pregnant and lactating mothers who are suffering from acute malnutrition and requiring therapeutic feeding.

The government has urged the international community to support efforts to address the crisis and help the affected communities.

It has also called on Kenyans to support each other and work together to mitigate the impact of the drought.

Despite the challenges, the Kenyan government says it remains committed to addressing food insecurity in the ASAL counties.

It has implemented several measures, including the distribution of food aid, water trucking, and the establishment of community food banks.

Communities in the Horn of Africa, including Kenya, Somalia, and Ethiopia, are braving the worst drought in decades as they prepare for a sixth consecutive dry season. Across the three countries, over 36 million people have been affected.