Kindiki Ignites National Drought Defense: Lifelines for 32 Kenyan Counties Amid Crisis.
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has launched critical initiatives to combat the worsening drought affecting millions in Kenya’s arid and semi-arid regions.
This comes amid failed short rains that have heightened food insecurity risks. The government’s proactive steps aim to safeguard lives and livelihoods in vulnerable areas.
The meeting set the stage for the government and partners to provide human and livestock food and non-food support to mitigate the effects of the prevailing drought and ensure no lives are lost.
Crisis Overview
The October-December short rains fell short by 30-60% in many areas, plunging 2.1 million people across 32 high-risk counties into acute food and nutritional insecurity.
“The October to December short rains has under-performed, exposing an estimated 2.1 million people across 32 Counties to food and nutritional insufficiency,” the Deputy President said in his speech.
He said locals in the affected counties require food and livestock, as well as nutritional and health interventions, for the next six months, by which time the harvest from the March to May long rains will be almost ready.
These counties, spanning arid and semi-arid lands (ASALs) like Turkana, Mandera, and Kitui, face dire shortages of water, pasture, and food, with livestock deaths rising and water points nearing dry status.
Kenya Meteorological Department assessments project sustained aid needs through March 2026, until long rains potentially bring relief.
“The distribution of rainfall is expected to be poor, with prolonged dry spells and isolated storms in some areas,” the report read in part.
“Temperatures are forecasted to be warmer than average over most parts of the country, except in a few areas of the western sector where near to cooler than average temperatures are likely. Higher probabilities for warmer than average temperatures are expected over the central and eastern regions,” it said.
According to the report, the distribution of rainfall is expected to be poor, with prolonged dry spells and isolated storms in some areas.
“Temperatures are forecasted to be warmer than average over most parts of the country, except in a few areas of the western sector where near to cooler than average temperatures are likely,” the KMD said.
Kindiki’s Strategic Meeting
On December 15, 2025, Kindiki chaired a high-level forum at Harambee Annex with Cabinet Secretaries, Principal Secretaries, Council of Governors reps, and agency heads to map urgent interventions.
Discussions zeroed in on scaling food and non-food aid for households, plus livestock feed, water trucking, and veterinary services.
A follow-up session on December 16 incorporated partners, NGOs, and private sector players to unveil a full mitigation roadmap.
“After which the government will announce a comprehensive roadmap for mitigating the drought situation,” DP Kindiki said.
Drought-hit regions like northeastern Kenya have tipped into IPC Phase 3 (Crisis) hunger levels, with risks escalating if dry spells persist.
Humanitarian efforts by Kenya Red Cross, backed by IFRC, include cash transfers, nutrition drives, and resilience projects like drought-resistant seeds and water pans.
Long-term, the push emphasizes climate adaptation, aligning with national disaster frameworks to shield ASAL communities from recurring shocks.
Kindiki’s blueprint prioritizes multi-stakeholder coordination for six months of aid, blending immediate relief with sustainable measures.
This positions Kenya to avert famine, protect pastoralist economies, and build resilience against climate volatility. As the government rolls out the plan, public-private synergies will be key to success.