Act now to avert deaths in perennial dry spells

The effect of drought in some parts of Laikipia and Kieni in Nyeri. [Kibata Kihu, Standard]

The Drought Management Authority issued a drought alert in the arid and semi-arid counties in July this year. The counties now hard hit by drought include Turkana, Mandera, Garissa, Wajir, Baringo, Kilifi, Tana River, Kwale, Marsabit, Kitui, Kajiado and Isiolo.

By the time of the alert was issued, more than two million people were already facing starvation and needed emergency food supplies. As would be expected, the drought triggered inter-communal resource-based conflicts caused by dwindling pasture and water. The bad news is that the drought is projected to last through to November.