Nairobi: A worsening drought is spreading beyond Kenya’s traditionally dry northern regions and hitting new areas, leaving herders struggling to keep their animals alive and raising fears of a wider food and livelihood crisis.
The dry spell, which began last year, has now moved into parts of southern and central Kenya, including regions closer to the capital that are not usually badly affected. Pastoral families say grazing land has dried up, water sources have shrunk, and livestock are dying or becoming too weak to sell at fair prices.
Herders report losing large numbers of cattle, goats and sheep, cutting off their main source of food and income. Milk production has fallen sharply, forcing families to buy food they once produced themselves. Many are selling animals at very low prices just to afford animal feed or water.
Some pastoralists have begun moving their herds over long distances in search of pasture, with a few crossing into neighbouring countries. Officials warn that this movement could increase tensions as communities compete for limited water and grazing land.
Kenya’s drought authorities say the situation is becoming more serious because the dry conditions are affecting areas that normally act as a buffer during bad seasons. Forecasts for the next rainy season suggest rainfall could be average or below average, offering little relief in the coming months.
The crisis is not limited to Kenya. Across East Africa, dry conditions are tightening their grip, with Somalia already declaring a drought emergency. Aid agencies warn that malnutrition levels, especially among children, are rising and could worsen if rains fail again.
Humanitarian groups and local organisations are calling on the government to step up emergency support, including water trucking and livestock feed, to prevent further losses. Without urgent action and better rains, many fear the drought could push more families into hunger and long term poverty.