President William Ruto yesterday announced that his deputy Rigathi Gachagua would chair an intergovernmental meeting on efforts to curb the severe drought that has affected over three million Kenyans.

Ruto said the government is keen on arresting the current situation by providing food relief to affected Kenyans.

“My Deputy will, on Monday, convene a meeting involving county leaders and officials to harmonise urgent interventions to stem the adverse effects of the ravaging drought in almost 20 counties that is putting about three million people at great risk,” said the President.

The President disclosed that the country’s economic situation was ‘bad’, noting that 65 per cent of revenue collected went to repay debts.

Speaking during a thanksgiving prayer service at State House gardens, Nairobi, Ruto said the challenges facing the country range from lack of food, inadequate housing and universal healthcare.

He asked religious leaders to pray for the plans his Government has for the country.

“It’s only through prayer that this administration will be able to assist those who are hungry, those with no shelter and the sick so that our health care plan succeeds,” said the President.

He went on:” Kenya is chained to many debts. Imagine 65 per cent of the taxes we collect goes to repay debts. Things are difficult, but there is light at the end of the tunnel.”

At least 10 counties across the country have been witnessing worsening drought, leaving thousands of people in dire need of relief aid.

A report by the National Drought Management Authority (NDMA) earlier in September showed that Laikipia, Tana River and Tharaka Nithi had joined Isiolo, Mandera, Garissa, Turkana, Wajir, Samburu and Marsabit counties in the ‘alarm’ phase of drought.

Ruto’s sentiments came on the day leaders from north eastern Kenya demanded that drought be declared a national disaster. Mandera Governor Mohamed Adan Khalif urged Ruto to declare famine in arid and semi-arid lands a national disaster.

Describing the situation as overwhelming, Governor Khalif said the famine situation is growing from bad to worse due to global climate change; resulting from four failed rainy seasons since 2020.

“Furthermore, the World Meteorological Organisation has predicted that the fifth rainy season will also likely fail,” Governor Khalif said during a press conference on Sunday at the county headquarters.

“This is a life-threatening prediction for pastoralist communities and their livelihood. The number of people in need of humanitarian assistance is 500,000; half of Mandera County’s population. Therefore, I appeal to President Ruto to declare the drought a national disaster,” he added.

He noted that Mandera County is still experiencing acute water shortage, food insecurity, malnutrition, limited pasture, and reduced prices for livestock. “We urge the national government and the international community to come to our aid,” he said.

Food insecurity

Livestock in urgent need of supplementary feeds, treatment, and water across the county are: cattle 452,724 (60 per cent of the total population), camel 386,448 (40 per cent), Goats 1,365,841 (40 percent), sheep 333,260 (40 per cent) and donkeys 105,660 (60 per cent).

Food insecurity has also resulted in drought-related diseases affecting pastoralists and their livelihoods.

Due to a decline in milk production, reduced milk consumption, poor dietary diversity and reduced food intake, about 29 per cent (108,735) of children under five years in Mandera face acute malnutrition.

Famine has also not spared the education sector as hungry students cannot concentrate in class.

With schools scheduled to open for the third term today (Monday), the governor said drought is at its peak. He called for urgent contingency measures, including water supply to schools and food supply to 41 boarding schools and 312 early childhood development education (ECDE) centres in Mandera county. He asked the State to set aside Sh370 million for drought intervention in the county.

On its part, Multi Touch International lobby group stressed on the need to conserve the environment as a way of mitigating the prolonged dry spell.

The group attributed the current drought to environmental degradation and deforestation.

Group chairperson Christine Wachege said: “We are experiencing drought in most parts of Kenya because we have cut down trees, leaving the vegetation unable to retain water. Every individual should plant trees to boost the forest cover.”

She made the remarks in the wake of skyrocketing food prices, particularly maize flour which is the staple food.

 “Distribution of forests and trees in towns and villages cannot be overemphasised. Trees are vital to the ecosystem,” explained Wachege.

She cited Mau Forest,saying its conservation should be a priority.

“ The government should now put out a plan of how they will implement what they promised. Issues like Mau should be given a higher priority,” she said.