MPs question National Drought Emergency Fund over preparedness, accountability
By Emmanuel Rono, May 12, 2026The National Assembly’s Special Funds Accounts Committee has questioned the National Drought Emergency Fund over its preparedness and capacity to effectively respond to drought emergencies across the country.
The committee, chaired by Fatuma Mohammed, met officials of the Fund at Bunge Towers on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, while examining the Auditor-General’s reports on the Fund’s financial statements for the 2020/2021 to 2024/2025 financial years.
Led by Chief Executive Officer Hared H. Adan, the Fund’s management faced questions from MPs on whether it had enough resources set aside to handle emergencies without seeking additional support from the national government during crises.
According to a statement by the Parliament of Kenya, the committee members sought clarification on the Fund’s accountability mechanisms and how resources are allocated to various drought response projects and regions.
Adequate resources
In his response, Adan assured the committee that the Fund has adequate resources to respond to emergencies while also investing in long-term mitigation measures aimed at reducing the impact of drought.
He told MPs that during the last drought incident, the Fund was able to provide basic support to affected communities, including interventions targeting food security and access to water.
“He noted that during the last drought incident, the Fund was able to meet basic needs for affected communities,” statement by the Parliament of Kenya in May 12, 2026 read.
Funds distribution
The lawmakers further questioned the criteria used in distributing funds to different regions and projects, amid concerns over equity and effectiveness of interventions.
Adan explained that allocations vary depending on the type of infrastructure and projects being implemented in specific areas, noting that some interventions require higher funding compared to others.
“Mr. Adan explained that the amount allocated depends on the type of infrastructure and projects being implemented in specific areas, noting that different interventions require varying levels of funding,” the statement stated.
The CEO also appealed for continued government and parliamentary support to strengthen the Fund’s response capacity in the face of increasing climate-related challenges and recurring drought emergencies affecting several parts of the country.