Govt to allocate Ksh4B every month to deal with drought
By Kiprono Keileb, January 14, 2026The government has released more than Ksh6 billion in the past month in emergency funding to respond to the worsening drought situation, as at least 2.1 million Kenyans face food insecurity, mostly in arid and semi-arid regions.
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki stated that the intervention is part of a broader national effort to protect vulnerable families, enhance access to food and water, and prevent a more severe humanitarian crisis.
In a statement posted on X on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, Kindiki said the response brings together national and county governments, humanitarian agencies, development partners, and the private sector. The statement further disclosed that the government will allocate Ksh4 billion every month to sustain the drought mitigation interventions.
He said that coordination is critical, as communities across the ASAL regions continue to feel the effects of prolonged dry conditions. Kindiki explained that formal coordination structures have already been put in place to ensure a unified response across the country.
“National and County steering committees on drought response have been activated to bring together the National and County Governments, development partners, humanitarian organizations and the private sector to provide a coordinated whole-of-society response to the food and nutrition situation in the Country,” the statement reads.
He then addressed the funding already released and outlined how the money is being used to support families affected by drought.
“The Government has disbursed over 6 billion shillings in the last month to support drought mitigation interventions, including the distribution of food and non-food items, medical supplies and water to citizens in the affected areas. A further 4 billion shillings will be allocated every month to sustain the drought mitigation interventions and appeals to the development partners to continue supporting the ongoing efforts,” the statement reads.
Scale of hunger
Kindiki also highlighted the scale of hunger in ASAL regions and the support that has already reached affected households over the past few months.
“With at least 2.1 million people being food insecure across the Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASALs), the Government in partnership with humanitarian and development partners, has between August and December last year reached out to at least 1.4 million citizens between August and December last year through food, cash transfers, water, medical supplies and special interventions for children at risk of malnutrition,” he wrote.
Beyond immediate relief, the Deputy President said the government is also focusing on long-term solutions to reduce vulnerability and build resilience in drought-prone areas.
“Through continued collaboration and coordinated action between the government and development partners, elaborate policies and strategies to sustainably combat climate change, strengthen resilience, reduce vulnerability of communities and promote sustainable development in climate-sensitive and drought-prone areas are being implemented to ensure coherent, well-targeted and complementary response to immediate humanitarian needs while reinforcing long-term resilience and climate adaptation outcomes,” he wrote.
Kindiki made the remarks after hosting the 14th Development Partnership Forum at his official residence in Karen, where senior government officials, diplomats, and development partners discussed the drought response and broader development cooperation.
“Pleased to host the 14th Development Partnership Forum at the Official Residence in Karen. Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, forum Co-chairs Ambassador Sebastian Groth of Germany and Stephen Jackson, Resident Coordinator of the United Nations, Cabinet Secretaries, Principal Secretaries, Ambassadors and Heads of Missions, Council of Governors led by Chairman Ahmed Abdullahi, and representatives of other development partners were present,” he wrote.