The government of Kenya has announced plans to scale up drought response. The country’s Head of State, William Ruto revealed the plans and said a sum of US $82.36 million has been mobilised to support the plans.
The country is currently facing increasing water stress, decreasing pasture and reducing agricultural production. The deterioration of food insecurity is attributed to multiple shocks, including dry spells from three consecutive poor seasonal rainfall performances (all below the five-year average), below average crop and livestock production, localized resource-based conflict, and the ripple effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, which resulted in increasing staple food prices across the country.
Drought response
The following seven counties were the most affected, representing more than 50% of the total population classified in IPC Phase 3 (Crisis) or above: Marsabit (50%), Turkana (40%), Baringo (35%), Wajir (35%), Mandera (35%), Samburu (35%) and Isiolo (30%). These areas are predominantly pastoral livelihoods.
The funding intends to support a number of projects including the Kenya Livestock Procurement Programme. US $1.65 million of the US $82.36 million to be raised will be allocated to the Kenya Wildlife Service to undertake water trucking for wildlife in national parks and reserves across the country.
The government is also banking on the construction of dams for drinking water supply and irrigation. The new dams will support existing dams in the East African country, including the Thiba Dam, which will open in October 2022. The dam provides water to 5,000 farming households for the irrigation of crops such as rice, maize and vegetables.
