By Benadeta Mwaura - Reporter
Kenya, January 15 2026 - At least 23 of Kenya’s 47 counties are now classified as facing acute food shortages as the ongoing drought, driven by failed rains and worsening climatic conditions, deepens, worsening hunger, livestock losses and economic stress for millions of residents.
The latest assessments come from government drought agencies and county nutrition committees, highlighting a rapidly deteriorating food security situation across large parts of the country. The drought impact extends across both Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASALs) and adjacent marginal farming areas. Among the counties most affected are:
Turkana
Marsabit
Samburu
Wajir
Mandera
Tana River
Kilifi
Lamu
Kitui
Machakos
Makueni
Kajiado
Garissa
Baringo
Narok
Other Counties facing drought stress or food insecurity include:
Kwale
Isiolo
Taita Taveta
Tharaka Nithi
Laikipia
Embu
Meru
West Pokot
These counties are either now showing worsening drought indicators, rising food insecurity, or both, according to the latest National Drought Management Authority (NDMA) drought update and Standard reporting. Government drought monitoring data and humanitarian assessments indicate that these areas are experiencing poor crop performance, livestock deaths and reduced household food stocks, forcing families to cut meals, borrow and sell assets to cope.
According to the National Drought Management Authority (NDMA) and county records: Crop production in many marginal agricultural zones has collapsed due to consecutive failed rainy seasons. Pasture and browse conditions remain extremely poor, contributing to livestock injuries, disease vulnerability and water scarcity.
Nutrition surveys show an increase in acute malnutrition among children and women in drought-affected counties. Water sourcing costs have skyrocketed as communities travel longer distances to access water or rely on tanker deliveries. While the national drought situation fluctuates by county, the current pulse indicates a sharp increase in counties classified under “emergency” food insecurity compared with the same period in previous years.
The drought crisis reflects multiple drivers:
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Climate Variability
Kenya and the Horn of Africa have experienced poor long rains (March–May 2025) and below- average short rains (October–December 2025). The result: three consecutive failed seasons in many regions, a situation that closely mirrors broader climate change impacts documented by meteorological agencies.
According to the Greater Horn of Africa Climate Outlook Forum (GHACOF), below-average rainfall and persistent dry spells have been linked to warming temperatures and shifting seasonal patterns that disrupt traditional farming calendars.
Rising Food Prices
Combined with high global food prices, despite a recent dip in the FAO Food Price Index, local staple costs remain elevated, pushing basic foodstuffs out of reach for vulnerable households. High transportation and input costs further erode affordability.
Human and Economic Impact
Communities are bearing the brunt of the ongoing drought. Many families report skipping meals or reducing portion sizes, struggling to cope with rising food scarcity and skyrocketing prices. Livestock herds, which are a key asset in pastoralist societies, are dying or being sold at firesale prices, further eroding household incomes and livelihoods.
The crisis is also affecting education, with school attendance rates dropping as children are forced to help their families search for water or take on work to supplement household income. Local markets are experiencing reduced trade volumes, as both purchasing power and supplies diminish, compounding the economic strain on already vulnerable communities.
Children, pregnant and lactating women are especially vulnerable; health centres in worst-hit areas are reporting rising cases of malnutrition and related illnesses. The national and county governments, together with humanitarian partners such as NDMA, World Food Programme (WFP) and NGOs, have initiated a range of response measures, including:
1. Emergency food distributions and cash transfers to the most vulnerable households.
2. Water trucking and borehole drilling in critically dry wards.
3. Livestock feed support and disease surveillance to protect animal health.
4. Nutrition screening and therapeutic feeding in affected health facilities.
Despite these efforts, response resources remain strained, and agencies have repeatedly called for additional funding, timely procurement of relief food and bolstered early warning systems. Kenya’s drought emergency is part of a broader pattern of climate-linked food crises across the Horn of Africa. Drought emergencies in Ethiopia and Somalia in recent years, driven by similar rainfall failures, have pushed millions into food insecurity.
The recurrent nature of droughts underscores the need for longer-term climate adaptation, including water harvesting, drought-resilient crops, rangeland management and social protection frameworks.
Analysts note that without sustained investment in climate-smart agriculture, water infrastructure and early action financing, future droughts will continue to threaten lives, livelihoods and food systems. With the drought situation worsening, authorities and experts are urging:
1. Accelerated social protection responses, including cash and food transfers.
2. Scaling up county and community drought plans with clear early trigger actions.
3. Improved data and monitoring systems for faster response.
4. Long-term investment in drought resilience infrastructure.
For now, millions of Kenyans in affected counties continue to confront the stark realities of a worsening drought, with rising hunger, income loss and deepening vulnerability shaping life across rural landscapes.
