The Kenyan government has made a very clear and urgent announcement that the country is just about to suffer a large-scale drought that would ruin towns, animals and food security, thus creating the necessity for emergency measures in various sectors right away.
Muthai Kagwe, the Cabinet Secretary for Agriculture and Livestock Development, informed that the authorities were now in possession of solid proof that the conditions for the drought were already present, and proactive measures were required to prevent severe impacts.
The warning was not a guess but a fact during a conversation with the official engagements taking place in Nyeri County. Kagwe explained that this was not a guessing game but observably based on the situation. The early signs were indicating that there would be a prolonged dry period, and thus water and pasture would be very scarce.
The government is getting the message out just as the northern counties are already reporting deaths of cattle and the scarcity of water, which is going to widen the area affected by the dryness.
Kagwe stated, “The question is not if it will happen. We are certain a drought is on its way.” He urged the local governments, the farmers, and the herdsmen to take up the preparatory measures right away. The speaker stressed that it is very important to do food and water supply planning ahead of time so that the people and the animals can be protected.
The Ministry of Agriculture has already announced the government plan of creating national reserves of animal feed to compensate for the livestock dying off. This plan aims at drought-proofing the farms by keeping the cattle fed along with preventing the losses amounting to billions of shillings, which was the case during the past droughts.
Additionally, the officials pointed out that the annual plan will be complemented by the continued vaccination campaign coverage and will include the provision of disease-free cattle through all seasons.
The warning is issued during a period of drought-related sufferings in the counties of Mandera, where the death of more than 70 livestock due to lack of water and food has already led to the issuing of urgent calls for humanitarian aid.
Also, Kenya’s Meteorological Department has predicted that the conditions would be warmer and dryer than normal until February 2026, raising fears of water shortage, crop failure, and increased hunger in both cities and the countryside. Historical data indicated that insufficient rains and long dry spells have in the past put millions of Kenyans at the risk of acute food shortages unless adequate mitigation measures are put in place.
The government’s warning suggests that the measures of water conservation, food storage, and distribution that are to be put in place must be immediate and tailored in such a way that they will support the needy populations, particularly those in the regions prone to drought, even before the situation gets worse.
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