According to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), an estimated 2.8 million people are at risk of facing acute food insecurity between April and June 2026 due to the expected below-normal March-May rainfall.
According to a report released by the authority on Friday, February 28, which assessed 23 Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASAL) counties, this is a 650,000 increase in people requiring urgent humanitarian aid from the current 2.15 million in February.
According to NDMA, people in Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASAL) counties, particularly Turkana, Mandera, Garissa, Wajir, and Marsabit, and other marginal agricultural zones like Kilifi, Kwale, Meru North, and Makueni, need urgent humanitarian assistance due to the impact of the 2024 short rain season.
Other key catalysts of food insecurity include flash floods and displacement, high commodity prices, below-average crop production, human and livestock diseases, crop pests and diseases, and conflict and insecurity.
"An assessment of the impact of the 2024 short rains season on Food and Nutrition Security reveals that 2.15 million people in Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASAL) counties urgently need humanitarian assistance, up from the 1 million recorded in July 2024. The most affected counties include Turkana, Mandera, Garissa, Wajir, and Marsabit," it stated.
"An assessment of the impact of the 2024 short rains season on Food and Nutrition Security reveals that 2.15 million people in Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASAL) counties urgently need humanitarian assistance, up from the 1 million recorded in July 2024," it added.
According to the NDMA, children between six months and six years and breastfeeding women in these regions are at the highest risk of facing acute malnutrition.
The report noted that in the past eight months, children below one year requiring treatment for acute malnutrition rose to 800,202, while cases among pregnant and breastfeeding women increased to 120,732.
"In addition, 800,202 children (6-59 months) need treatment for acute malnutrition, up from 760,488. 120,732 pregnant & breastfeeding women also require treatment for acute malnutrition, up from 112,401, indicating a worsening situation & heightened vulnerability in both groups," it stated.
NDMA's alert comes a week after climate scientists at the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) revealed that Kenya is among four East African countries that are set to experience elevated levels of heat waves in the coming days.
According to IGAD, erected heat stress was expected in several areas, including Eastern Kenya, South Sudan, Eastern Tanzania, Southern Sudan, and Southern Somalia.
Individuals residing in these regions were cautioned that the harsh conditions could significantly impact both human health and agriculture.
