Effects Of Drought To Be Felt Through October

Drought experienced in various parts of the country is likely to continue through October, according to the National Drought Management Authority (NDMA).

The NDMA Chief Executive Officer, Mr. James Oduor said that the continuing drought in the country is worsening and that it is not ending any soon as already 2.6 million people are affected.

Mr. Oduor said the situation in the country is worsening during NDMA’s meeting with European Union officials when they were flagging off vehicles to help with the monitoring of drought.

Eight vehicles were flagged off to support monitoring of drought in various counties while a boat was flagged off for the same purpose in Lamu.

The most affected areas according to NDMA are the Arid and Semi-Arid areas (Asals), including the North-Eastern parts of Kenya.

Leaders from the Northern part of Kenya had earlier raised an alarm concerning the effects of drought on their people.

National Assembly Majority Leader Aden Duale, appealed for urgent food and water, blaming the current situation on lack of the long April rains.

“We ask the National and County governments, and international donors to come to the aid of the people affected by the drought by providing food, water trucking, and livestock off-take program,” said Duale.

According to NDMA, 35 counties are affected by drought, 23 of which are in dire need of food and water, while the remaining 12 are receiving other forms of help to counter the effects of drought.

“The situation is worsening by the day, and we are afraid it may not come to an end any soon. At the moment 23 countries need to be supplied with food and water,” said Mr. Oduor.

“12 counties affected by drought are receiving water and livestock feed supplements to help ease the situation,” he added.

Some of the most affected areas include Turkana, Isiolo, Samburu, Marsabit, Wajir, Garissa and Tana River, some of which have been distributed with the 218 million shillings spent by NMDA for drought intervention since February 2019.