Committed to Ending Drought Emergencies

The National Drought Management Authority Act (2016) mandates the Authority to exercise overall coordination over all matters relating to drought risk management and to establish mechanisms, either on its own or with stakeholders, that will end drought emergencies in Kenya.

Committed to Ending Drought Emergencies

The National Drought Management Authority Act (2016) mandates the Authority to exercise overall coordination over all matters relating to drought risk management and to establish mechanisms, either on its own or with stakeholders, that will end drought emergencies in Kenya.

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The ongoing March-April-May (MAM) rainfall season occasioned a positive impact on livelihoods across most parts of Arid and Semi-Arid counties with environmental indicators depicting a recovery drought phase situation. Despite the recovery across the ASAL counties, the food security situation is yet to improve and the number of people in need of assistance remains at 4.4 million following the short rains (SRA) 2022 food security assessment while the risk of Acute malnutrition remains occasioned by a lag between recovery from drought and food available across the livelihoods.


From the range of indicators monitored, three counties (3), Wajir, Taita Taveta and Lamu remain in Alert drought phase while Seven (7) counties namely Embu, Meru, Tharaka Nithi, West Pokot, Baringo, Garissa and Narok are in Normal drought phase. Thirteen (13) counties including; Isiolo, Kajiado, Kilifi, Kitui, Kwale, Laikipia, Makueni, Mandera, Marsabit, Samburu, Tana River, Turkana and Nyeri are in the Recovery drought phase. 

Download the National Drought monthly bulletin - May 2023

In ASAL counties, the food security situation continues to regress. The population facing acute food insecurity and consequently requiring humanitarian assistance has increased to 4.4 million from the 3.5 million people identified in July 2022 following assessment of the long rains season. This is a clear testament of the declining food security in Kenya’s 23 ASAL counties. A further 495,362 food-insecure people were identified in 9 traditionally non-ASAL counties assessed.

Additionally, the nutrition status of children and women has worsened due to prolonged drought. Over 970,000 children aged 6 to 59 months and 142,000 pregnant and breastfeeding mothers are currently malnourished compared to 884,000 reported in July 2022.

Most parts of the arid pastoral northwest and northeast counties as well as the southeast marginal agricultural counties of Kitui and Makueni are facing ‘Crisis’ food insecurity (IPC Phase 3) of the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification. Turkana, Marsabit, Mandera, Wajir, and Garissa have the highest proportions (55%) of their populations in Crisis (Phase 3) and above. The coastal marginal agricultural counties and agro-pastoral counties are experiencing ’Stressed’ food security status (IPC Phase 2).

Download the 2022 SRA National Report

 

 

Ms. Batula Mohamed, a resident of Karu Location in Habaswein, Wajir County, was on the verge of despair as she watched the body condition of her cattle deteriorate. Drought had depleted all available pasture, wreaking havoc in her village. The mother of five had already lost four cows in a span of two months and the remaining three were too feeble to stand on their own. The Subcounty had not received any rainfall in five months thus the depletion of pasture. Her three school-going children had missed most of previous terms work as the situation required them to venture farther out with the livestock in search of pasture.

The NDMA has partnered with local universities for research into areas relating to drought risk management and climate change adaptation. The Authority gave research grants to six PhD students drawn from the University of Nairobi, University of Eldoret and Kenyatta University.

In his opening remarks during a seminar for the presentation of research findings, NDMA Board Chairman Mr Raphael Nzomo noted that the event came at a critical time when the country is looking for practical solutions to challenges posed by droughts.