Despite the notable recovery attributed to the impacts of March to May (MAM) rains in Arid and Semi-Arid counties. The recovery is yet to be registered fully. Currently, one (1) county reported recovery phase, and nineteen (19) counties reported normal drought phase situation. Drought situation thus remains alert in three (3) of the 23 ASAL counties during the month of August 2023.

The number of people in need of assistance stands at 2.8 million currently following long rains (LRA) 2023 food security assessment. Three counties (3) including; Samburu, Kajiado and Taita Taveta are in the Alert drought phase. Nineteen (19) counties namely; Baringo, Kilifi, Kitui, Kwale, Laikipia, Lamu, Mandera, Embu, Meru, Tharaka Nithi, Wajir, Garissa, Makueni, Narok, Nyeri, Tana River, Turkana, West Pokot and Isiolo are in Normal drought phase. One (1) county; Marsabit is in the Recovery drought phase.

Acute malnutrition has also been noted across the counties with 653,500 children aged 6 to 59 months and 142,900 pregnant and breastfeeding mothers are currently malnourished acutely in need of treatment.

Download the National Drought monthly bulletin – August 2023