Kwale County has been placed on drought alert following prolonged dry conditions affecting households across the region, the National Drought Management Authority (NDMA) has said.
NDMA Kwale County Coordinator, Abdulah Halakhe, said a government assessment conducted in November 2025 revealed that more than 90,000 residents required food assistance, with a fresh assessment currently underway to establish the prevailing situation.
Halakhe explained that the ongoing evaluation focuses on household food availability, market supplies, farm conditions, and weather patterns to provide an updated picture of the county’s nutrition status.
He noted that response measures are already in place, with the national government distributing relief food to affected communities, including school feeding programmes to ensure learners remain in school.
“The national government is already providing food assistance to affected households, while schools are also supported to enable children to continue learning without hunger,” Halakhe said.
He added that humanitarian organisations are complementing government interventions in the most affected areas.
The Kenya Red Cross Society is supplying porridge flour to children under five in Kinango Sub-County, while Plan International supports vulnerable households through cash transfers.
Halakhe further said the national government, through NDMA, is implementing water interventions to mitigate the drought’s effects, particularly in critical institutions such as schools.
“We are working to ensure water reaches areas experiencing acute shortages, especially schools and communities severely affected,” he said.
While clarifying that the county is on drought alert and not yet at the emergency phase, Halakhe noted that some areas are already facing severe conditions.
“The drought alert reflects the county average, but areas such as Kinango, Samburu, and Macknon already need emergency interventions,” he said.
He expressed concerns over water shortages in some locations, where residents are forced to share water sources with livestock, posing serious health risks.
“In some locations, people and animals are using the same water sources, which are unsafe for domestic use. These areas require urgent attention,” Halakhe said.
He attributed the worsening food situation to poor short rains, which were accurately predicted using both scientific forecasts and indigenous knowledge.
“Farmers were advised early that the short rains would be poor and encouraged not to sell all their produce. However, many sold their stocks and are now facing shortages,” he said.
Halakhe urged livestock farmers to take early measures to minimize losses during the dry season by selling weaker animals while market conditions remain favourable.
He also called on pastoralist communities to adopt climate-resilient practices, including fodder production, storage, and the use of drought-resistant feed, to safeguard livelihoods amid changing weather patterns.
By Chari Suche
