Failed rains causing prolonged drought in Kenya

Many thousands of people in northern Kenya and parts of the Rift Valley are suffering under a severe drought and government estimates also suggest that 1.4 million people are facing starvation.

The Igad Climate Prediction and Applications Centre suggest that insecurity and low rainfall levels since January will be exacerbated by below average rainfall over the coming three months.

Marsabit is currently subject to its worst drought for many years while in Turkana it is estimated that 600,000 people are at risk of starvation.

Meanwhile the County’s Department of Livestock Production estimates that over four million goats and sheep are at risk of dying during the current drought.

People and livestock in Baringo face a similar daunting prospect of drought and starvation.

Insecurity in the areas affected, resulting in people being unable to move to find water, is making a very bad situation worse.