60 per cent of water bodies in 32 counties have dried up, NDMA report indicates

At least 60 per cent of water sources in 32 counties affected by drought have dried up, according to the latest data from the National Drought Management Authority (NDMA).

An assessment by the authority further notes that river flows in the identified counties currently stand at 40 per cent of the normal.

This came as the Ministry of Asals and Regional Development announced a joint venture with donors to support affected communities with water and livestock feed.

According to a report by the drought management authority, over six million people in 32 counties are facing acute food shortage.

The report said the numbers included 4.4 million people in Asal counties, 0.9m in non-Asal counties, 970,000 children under the age of five, and 142,000 pregnant or breastfeeding mothers.

"Our assessment indicates that over 60 per cent of open water sources have dried up while river flows are below 40 per cent of the normal in the 32 counties," said the authority.

And with water bodies drying up, the authority had led to frequent breakdown of boreholes due to increased demand.

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"Complementary interventions are underway in different government ministries and departments even as the Government works towards building long-term resilience," reads the report.

The authority further noted that it had supported water trucking, provision of water tanks, fuel subsidy to strategic boreholes and repair and rehabilitation of water facilities.

"Marsabit, Isiolo, Kajiado, Garissa, Laikipia, Wajir, and West Pokot counties will benefit from this water programme at Sh36.6 million," said the authority. Earlier, CS Rebecca Miano said that the government had released an additional Sh2 billion to secure relief food and distribution for affected counties.

She added that NDMA would provide livestock feed supplements and implement water-related interventions with funding from the National Drought Emergency Fund (Ndef) and the European Union.

"The effects of below-average rainfall seasons have led to the depletion of pasture and browse in most Asal counties, which has resulted in poor body condition of livestock and widespread mortality," she said.

Miano added that the ministry would dispatch 60,480 bags (50kg) of livestock feed supplements worth Sh145 million to eight Asal counties.

The interventions are aimed at complementing the actions of other partners.