The government has stepped up its response to the ongoing drought by dispatching a major consignment of relief food to the Arid and Semi-Arid Land (ASAL) counties. Cabinet Secretary for Public Service, Human Capital Development and Special Programmes, Geoffrey Ruku, flagged off the supplies at the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) depot in Nairobi.
The relief package includes 6,600 bags of maize, 7,200 bags of rice, and 8,840 bags of beans, destined for Mandera and Turkana—two of the most severely affected counties. This intervention marks the beginning of a wider relief program targeting Kenya’s 23 ASAL counties, where millions of residents continue to grapple with the harsh effects of prolonged drought.
According to the National Drought Management Authority (NDMA), at least 2.15 million people are currently in urgent need of food assistance. The situation is expected to worsen, with forecasts predicting below-average rainfall during the October–December short rains season.
Speaking during the flag-off, CS Ruku emphasized that the government remains committed to ensuring no Kenyan dies of hunger. He further noted that the dispatch followed a high-level consultative meeting held the previous week, where stakeholders outlined both immediate and long-term drought mitigation measures.
“This relief food is not just a response to the crisis but a demonstration of the government’s dedication to protecting the lives and dignity of vulnerable communities,” Ruku stated.
The distribution is part of a multi-pronged approach that includes strengthening early warning systems, scaling up cash transfer programs, and investing in long-term resilience projects such as water harvesting and sustainable agriculture.
As Kenya battles the worsening drought, this relief initiative offers a crucial lifeline to thousands of households in Mandera, Turkana, and beyond, underscoring the government’s proactive stance in tackling food insecurity across the ASAL region.
