Kenya Drought Update

Statement on drought situation in Kenya

As reported widely in the local and international media, East Africa is currently experiencing a drought which has caused hardship to many people in the region as crops have failed and grazing for livestock has been depleted. Within Kenya, the worst affected areas are mainly in the north and east of the country and include Marsabit, Moyale, Samburu, Isiolo, Mwingi, Kitui, Tana River, Turkana, Laikipia, Mandera and Garissa.

The Kenya government has already taken action and has announced the launch of a Kshs 24 billion emergency humanitarian assistance programme to provide food and water to drought-stricken families. The government has arranged for relief supplies to be delivered by the army, the National Youth Service and the Administration Police to the regions hit by drought. The Prime Minister announced that this emergency relief assistance would benefit  11 million Kenyans affected by the poor harvests and loss of livestock due to lack of normal rains earlier this year.

It is expected that the action taken by the Kenya government will help to alleviate the hardship over the coming weeks until the next rainy season, which the latest forecast from the Meteorological Department indicates should have started by the first week of October. Tourist facilities have not been adversely affected in any way by the very dry weather conditions although the herbivores in the parks and reserves are facing increasing pressure as good grazing becomes scarcer and are now mainly concentrated around water-holes or staying near rivers and watercourses.

The drought is a serious problem for pastoralists and farmers and their families but should not have any effect on tourist visitors. In fact tourism is now of even greater importance to the economy and the well-being of many Kenyans who depend upon tourism for their livelihoods and to support their families so visitors will find that they are especially welcome at this time.