Some 3.5 million Kenyans, particularly in arid and semi-arid areas, are facing hunger due to drought, the National Drought Management Authority (NDMA) said Thursday.
The number has risen by 400,000 to 3.5 million from 3.1 million in February, the government agency said in its latest update on the drought situation in Kenya.
“The drought situation continues to bite in 17 of the 23 arid and semi-arid lands counties. This is attributed to the poor performance of the 2021 short rains coupled with previous two failed consecutive seasons and late-onset of the 2022 long rains season,” said the NDMA, noting the worst affected are eight regions in northern Kenya, namely Marsabit, Mandera, Wajir, Samburu, Isiolo, Baringo, Turkana and Laikipia.
According to the NDMA, the state of pasture in arid and semi-arid land areas in the East African nation where residents rely on pastoralism remains below normal as compared to previous years due to depressed rains.
Kenya has lost more than 1 million animals that include cattle, goats, sheep and camels due to drought in the past months.