Over two million people across Kenya are experiencing worsening food insecurity following one of the driest October to December 2025 rainy seasons on record. The prolonged drought has led to rising malnutrition rates, increased risk of disease outbreaks, and disrupted access to essential health services.
The short rains, which typically bring seasonal rainfall between October and December, delivered only 30 to 60 percent of the long-term average in most areas, marking the driest season since 1981 in parts of eastern Kenya. Neighboring countries, including Somalia, Tanzania, and Uganda, are also experiencing similar weather patterns, putting millions more at risk due to water shortages and related food insecurity.
Kenya’s National Drought Management Authority reports that 10 counties are experiencing drought conditions. Nine counties—Wajir, Garissa, Kilifi, Marsabit, Kitui, Kwale, Kajiado, Isiolo, and Tana River—are in the “alert” phase, while Mandera is in the critical “alarm” phase. Thirteen other counties in the Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASAL) region, though currently categorized as “normal,” are increasingly showing signs of drought stress, particularly regarding water and livestock. The government has warned that 2.5 million citizens may face severe hunger and water scarcity if conditions persist.
While the emergency is severe, it aligns with known seasonal risks in Kenya’s ASAL regions, which face elevated drought vulnerability between the short and long rains. WHO has supported the Kenyan Ministry of Health and National Public Health Institute to assess health risks using its Strategic Tool for Assessing Risks (STAR), a comprehensive toolkit for evidence-based public health planning.
In anticipation of the drought, WHO delivered emergency supplies in November 2025, including cholera and pneumonia kits, pre-positioned in high-risk counties to support over 5,000 people. However, significantly more resources are needed to meet the scale of the crisis.
Health experts warn that multiple threats are converging. Water scarcity is forcing families to use unsafe sources, raising risks of cholera, typhoid, and diarrhoeal diseases. Drought conditions are affecting livestock, a vital food source for pastoralist communities, putting children and pregnant women at severe risk of acute malnutrition. Prolonged dryness is also compacting soils, which may lead to flash floods when rains arrive, further increasing waterborne disease risks.
WHO is urging national and county governments, humanitarian agencies, and communities to take urgent action. Immediate priorities include ensuring access to safe water and sufficient food for both people and livestock, while strengthening integrated health, nutrition, and water services to prevent further deterioration. Coordinated efforts are critical as communities await the long rains expected in March to May 2026.
