Drought has intensified across Kenya following one of the driest rainy seasons on record, with dry conditions now spreading into regions historically less affected by water scarcity.
The World Health Organization reported that the 2025 “short rains” season, from October to December, delivered only 30 to 60 percent of the long-term average in most parts of the country. This deficiency led to the driest such period since 1981 in parts of eastern Kenya. Consequently, drought has extended beyond the arid north, traditionally the most vulnerable region, impacting ten counties in central and southern areas. These include Wajir, Garissa, Kilifi, Marsabit, Kitui, Kwale, Kajiado, Isiolo, and Tana River.
By the end of January, nine of these counties were placed in an “alert phase,” while Mandera was declared a drought emergency, moved to an “alarm stage.” The shift signals a severe deterioration in water and pasture availability.
Among the hardest hit are pastoralist communities, such as the Maasai, who rely on livestock for their livelihood. Significant losses of cattle and goats have already been reported due to the lack of grazing and water.
The climatic stress is not confined to Kenya. Neighbouring Somalia, Tanzania, and Uganda are also confronting heightened risks of food insecurity and malnutrition, driven by similar deficient rainfall patterns across the wider East African region.
This widespread drought underscores theacute vulnerability of the region to climate variability. The situation calls for scaled humanitarian response and highlights the long-term need for enhanced resilience strategies to manage recurring rainfall deficits in the Horn of Africa.
