10 counties to face devastating drought between August and December 2021

NAKURU,Kenya, July 24 – The National Drought Management Authority (NDMA) has revealed that Kenya is set to face devastating drought across the country as a result of harsh weather conditions and limited rainfall.

An alert has since been issued by Devolution Cabinet Secretary Eugene Wamalwa,  as the number of affected counties rose from 8 to 10. This number of affected counties according to Wamalwa could however rise even further in the coming weeks.

Studies from NDMA reveals that the drought will be experienced between August and December 2021.

“The National Drought Management Authority has new data that indicates that the current drought situation could get worse between August and December hence the need for action,” saiCS Wamalwa.

Counties that have so far been affected include: Garissa, Isiolo, Kilifi, Mandera, Samburu, Tana River, Wajir, Lamu, Marsabit and Turkana.

Wamalwa attended a consultative meeting in Naivasha with elected leaders from Marsabit and Turkana county on how to address the current situation.

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) as well as the European Union (EU) has committed Sh1.5 billion and Sh500 million respectively towards water tracking and water provision to the affected communities.

Through the Hunger Safety network, the government released Sh559 million targeting 100 thousand vulnerable families affected by the drought.

“In August we shall release a similar amount to assist those affected and we are keen on building the communities resilience as part of mitigation measures,” he said.

Saku MP Dido Raso further called for timely interventions as several communities in Marsabit for instance have already lost their livestock as resources become scarce.

“We have come to learn that water pans dry fast and are not effective in addressing the water crisis in the semi-arid counties and we are now opting for major dams,” he said.

The construction of three mega dams in Turkana, West Pokot and Marsabit are said to be at an advanced stage. This is anticipated to address the perennial shortage of water in the Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASAL)