The government has cautioned grassroots leaders in drought-affected counties against misusing or diverting resources allocated to support Kenyans grappling with drought.

Speaking in Tana River County on Saturday, February 21, 2026, Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku urged the leaders to ensure that relief food distributed by the national government reaches Kenyans in need.

“As of now, there are more than 25 counties that are experiencing drought, but our president has ensured that we have enough food to ensure that people in these counties don’t die of hunger,” Ruku said.

“We are now urging those grassroots leaders like Chiefs, village managers, DCC, MCAs and County Commissioners, who are the eyes and ears of the national government on the ground, to ensure that once they hear that there is a family that has no food, that information should reach the government through the proper channels.”

The CS has also directed leaders to document and report households facing food shortages so that appropriate action can be taken.

Ruku assured that the government would provide not only human food and supplements, but also animal food, such as hay, for the vulnerable communities.

“As a country, we have enough food in our strategic food reserves. No Kenyan should starve when the government has procured adequate food and nutritional supplements for the vulnerable in our communities,” Ruku stated.

The announcement by the CS comes just days after the National Drought Management Authority (NDMA) disbursed Ksh778 million to cushion 133,000 people in eight counties experiencing drought.

In a statement on Thursday, February 19, 2026, NDMA confirmed that the funds have already been disbursed to Mandera, Turkana, Wajir, Marsabit, Garissa, Tana River, Isiolo, and Samburu under the Hunger Safety Net Programme (HSNP).

Under the programme, each registered household will receive Ksh2,700, which will help families meet essential food and non-food needs during periods of climatic stress.

“The funds release comes at a critical time, with 3.3 million people across 23 ASAL counties currently facing food insecurity and projections indicating a likely increase if the March-May rains underperform,” NDMA stated.

“Reduced pasture and browse, declining milk production, elevated food prices, and intensifying water scarcity are eroding household resilience in drought-affected areas.”