Drought conditions continued to worsen across most ASAL counties, driven by persistent hot and dry weather throughout January. Mandera, Wajir, Kwale, and Kilifi were classified in the Alarm phase, while thirteen counties—including Turkana, Marsabit, Samburu, Isiolo, Baringo, Laikipia, Tharaka, Kajiado, Taita Taveta,

Kitui, Tana River, Garissa, and Lamu were in the Alert phase; Embu, Narok, and West Pokot were in Pre-Alert, and only Nyeri, Meru, and Makueni remained in the Normal phase. These classifications were based on environmental, production, access, and utilization indicators falling outside normal seasonal thresholds.

Food insecurity has steadily increased since December 2025, with an estimated 3.3 million people currently food insecure across ASAL counties, particularly in Mandera, Wajir, Garissa, Turkana, and Marsabit. Acute malnutrition levels remain high in several arid counties, including Mandera, Garissa, Marsabit, Samburu, Baringo (Tiaty), and Turkana, with significant numbers of children aged 6–59 months and pregnant and breastfeeding women requiring urgent treatment.

Full report: National Monthly Drought Update January 2026