Kenya grapples with worst drought in four decades

Kenya is currently grappling with its most severe drought in four decades, leaving millions of people without adequate food and water. The drought, exacerbated by climate change, has had devastating effects on the country’s agriculture and livestock, which are vital for the livelihoods of many Kenyans.

According to the United Nations, more than 1.5 million people in Kenya are experiencing severe food insecurity, particularly in the pastoral areas.

The prolonged drought has led to the death of up to 70% of livestock in some regions, significantly impacting the income and food sources for many families.

The price of a cow has plummeted from about 40,000 Kenyan shillings ($357) to just 5,000 KSH ($45), reflecting the dire economic situation

The drought has also caused a dramatic increase in the price of staple foods. Maize prices were reported to be 10 to 90 percent higher than the five-year average in most markets.

Humanitarian efforts have been ramped up to address the crisis. From January to December 2023, approximately 2.9 million people received some form of assistance under the Kenya Drought Response initiative.

The Kenyan government and international organizations are calling for increased financial support to help the country adapt to the changing climate and mitigate the effects of future droughts. At the 2024 UN Climate Change Conference (COP29) in Baku, Azerbaijan, Kenya emphasized the need for more robust global financial commitments to support vulnerable nations.