This archive report was first published on 29 August 2019.
On August 29, 2019, the National Drought Management Authority (NDMA) released a report warning that drought and food scarcity in Kenya would worsen in 2019 unless adequate mitigation measures were taken.
The report, which was released on a Thursday evening, highlighted that sectors such as food, livestock, water, health, and nutrition, education, and peace and security would be severely affected.
According to the report, the number of people in need of relief assistance had nearly doubled from 1.1 million in February 2019 to 2.6 million in August 2019.
The most affected counties, based on the number of food insecure populations, were Turkana, Mandera, Garissa, Wajir, Marsabit, Baringo, Tana River, Kitui, Makueni, Kilifi, and Meru (Meru North).
Earlier in April 2019, the National Treasury had approved the allocation of Sh1.85 billion for response during the January to April 2019 period.
Of this allocation, Sh602 million was allocated for food and safety nets, Sh600 million for household irrigation water storage, and Sh650 million for the provision of strategic water facilities, maintenance, and rehabilitation.
Between January and June 2019, 97,770 most vulnerable beneficiary households in Wajir, Turkana, Mandera, and Marsabit received Sh5,400 bi-monthly from the government's Sh2 billion disbursement.
Additionally, Sh395.3 million was paid as emergency cash transfers to 38,014 additional drought-vulnerable households in Wajir, Mandera, Turkana, and Marsabit Counties to enable them to meet their basic food needs and to cushion against depletion of their livelihood assets.
